In a written answer on 1 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis defended the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) against criticism from the European Court of Auditors (ECA), arguing that the current legal framework precludes the Commission from systematically collecting actual cost data from Member States. The answer, responding to a question from ECR MEPs Dick Erixon and Bert-Jan Ruissen, signals the Commission's preference for maintaining the RRF's performance-based payment model, which disburses funds upon achievement of milestones and targets rather than reimbursement of incurred costs. This approach impacts EU taxpayers, who bear the risk of potential overfunding or inefficient expenditure, and Member States, which retain flexibility but face limited EU oversight on cost efficiency.
The question cited an ECA report identifying insufficient information on final recipients, contractors, actual costs, and results, warning that the RRF may become a template for future EU spending. Dombrovskis acknowledged the ECA's findings but stressed that the auditors did not identify deficiencies in the Commission's application of the binding RRF legislative framework. He noted that the RRF Regulation explicitly precludes the Commission from controlling actual costs incurred by Member States, and that efficiency must be assessed by comparing payments against the achievement of approved milestones and targets.
the recast Financial Regulation, adopted in September 2024, which widens data collection and transparency requirements at EU level, and the Commission's proposal for future National and Regional Partnership Plans, which would require collection and publication of information on beneficiaries, recipients, contractors, and sub-contractors, including the amount of EU contribution committed. However, the answer contained no concrete numerical targets, deadlines, or binding requirements for actual cost reporting in future instruments, instead reiterating that Member States can voluntarily submit cost data when revising their recovery plans. The Commission's stance suggests a cautious approach to increasing EU-level control over national spending, prioritising flexibility over the full traceability and public transparency recommended by the ECA.
Institutional follow-up is expected as the Commission prepares legislative proposals for post-2027 EU spending, where the debate over performance-based versus cost-based funding models is likely to resurface. The European Parliament and the Council will scrutinise the Commission's proposals, with MEPs from the ECR and other groups expected to push for stronger transparency and efficiency safeguards.