On 4 September 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted its position on draft amending budget No 2 for the 2026 general budget, updating revenue from own resources and adjusting expenditure. The decision, taken via written procedure, increases payment appropriations by EUR 8.0 billion, primarily for cohesion policy and rural development, and includes agricultural support and changes to the InvestEU fund.
The Commission submitted the draft on 9 June 2026, with all language versions available by 22 June 2026. Revenue updates reflect own resources forecasts agreed by the Advisory Committee on Own Resources (ACOR) on 29 May 2026, plus other revenues such as fines and the UK contribution. The Budget Committee accepted the draft without changes on 11 June 2026.
Expenditure reinforcements include EUR 3.4 billion for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), EUR 0.6 billion for the Cohesion Fund, EUR 1.4 billion for the European Social Fund+ (ESF+), and EUR 2.2 billion for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). An agricultural reserve of EUR 300 million in commitment and payment appropriations supports farmers facing liquidity challenges due to rising fertiliser costs. The European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) receives EUR 140 million for timely Member State reimbursements. The position also increases Commission establishment plan posts, heading 7 administrative expenditure, and support for borrowing/debt management for the Ukraine Support Loan.
Two budgetary neutral transfers move funds from the European Environment Agency (EEA) back to the LIFE programme following the withdrawal of the European forest monitoring proposal and delays in the Green Claims Directive. Changes to budget line 02 02 02 (InvestEU Fund provisioning) allow Member States to contribute RRF funds to InvestEU. The net impact is an expenditure increase of EUR 444.2 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 8.0 billion in payment appropriations.
The Permanent Representatives Committee confirmed the agreement and instructed the Presidency to send the position to the European Parliament and publish it in the Official Journal. The Council decided to use the written procedure under Article 12(1) of its Rules of Procedure and Council Decision (EU) 2022/1242.
The decision impacts EU Member States, which will see increased payments from EU funds, particularly for cohesion and rural development. Farmers benefit from the agricultural reserve and EAGF support. The European Commission gains additional administrative posts and borrowing capacity for the Ukraine Support Loan. The InvestEU programme receives new flexibility for Member State contributions from RRF funds.
The European Parliament will now consider the Council's position as part of the budgetary procedure.