EU: Budget Contributions, by country
CountryBudget contribution,
in millions EUR
GermanyGermany33,157.84
FranceFrance26,368.31
ItalyItaly18,104.08
SpainSpain12,698.00
NetherlandsNetherlands6,644.11
PolandPoland5,809.52
BelgiumBelgium5,033.35
SwedenSweden4,546.51
AustriaAustria3,497.81
IrelandIreland3,070.49
DenmarkDenmark3,056.85
FinlandFinland2,535.51
RomaniaRomania2,466.74
PortugalPortugal2,373.13
CzechiaCzechia2,265.84
HungaryHungary1,668.12
GreeceGreece1,570.66
SlovakiaSlovakia966.42
BulgariaBulgaria687.62
CroatiaCroatia578.26
LithuaniaLithuania526.85
SloveniaSlovenia493.96
LuxembourgLuxembourg444.17
LatviaLatvia333.00
EstoniaEstonia322.51
CyprusCyprus228.67
MaltaMalta149.56
  • Region: EU
  • Time period: 2021
  • Published: Sep 2022

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Germany leads in EU budget contributions

Germany's budget contribution stands at a staggering 33,157.84 million Euros, making it the largest contributor to the European Union's budget. This figure significantly surpasses that of France, the second-largest contributor, by nearly 6,789.53 million Euros.

Top five contributors account for over 60% of the total

The combined contributions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands amount to 96,372.34 million Euros, representing over 60% of the total budget contributions from all member states listed.

Eastern European countries contribute less

Countries from Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus, and Malta, contribute the least, with their combined contributions totaling only 3,022.57 million Euros, demonstrating a stark contrast in financial commitment compared to their Western counterparts.

The Netherlands leads among smaller economies

Among the smaller economies, the Netherlands stands out with a budget contribution of 6,644.11 million Euros, significantly higher than other countries with smaller economies, highlighting its disproportionate financial contribution relative to its size.

Contribution disparity between largest and smallest contributors

Germany, as the largest contributor, and Malta, as the smallest, exhibit a vast disparity in their contributions to the EU budget, with Germany contributing over 221 times more than Malta's 149.56 million Euros.

Mid-range contributors show diverse economic commitment

Countries like Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, and Ireland contribute between 3,070.49 million Euros and 5,809.52 million Euros, indicating a mid-range level of economic commitment to the EU budget that reflects their varying economic capacities.

Significant contributions from non-top economies

Despite not being among the largest EU economies, countries such as Sweden, Austria, and Denmark contribute significantly, with contributions over 3,000 million Euros each, showcasing their strong financial commitment to the EU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the largest contributor to the EU budget?

Germany is the largest contributor to the EU budget with 33,157.84 million Euros.

What is the combined contribution of the top five contributors?

The combined contributions of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands is 96,372.34 million Euros, representing over 60% of the total budget contributions from all member states.

Which country is the smallest contributor to the EU budget?

Malta is the smallest contributor to the EU budget, contributing only 149.56 million Euros.

Terms and Definitions

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member countries that are located primarily in Europe. It operates through a system of supranational and intergovernmental decision-making, and has established an internal single market through a standardized system of laws that apply to all member states.

The EU Budget is the financial plan of the European Union, detailing the annual revenues and expenditures for the organization's various initiatives, policies, and administration. The budget is proposed by the European Commission and approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. It is funded by the member states via various mechanisms.

A member state's contribution to the EU budget is the financial amount that each EU country pays into the EU budget. The size of each member state's contribution is based on the country's Gross National Income (GNI), VAT-based contributions, and other sources such as customs duties.

Gross National Income (GNI) is the total domestic and foreign output claimed by residents of a country, including gross domestic product (GDP) plus any income earned by residents from overseas investments, minus income earned within the domestic economy by overseas residents. In the context of the EU budget, GNI is used to determine the size of a member state's contribution.

Value Added Tax (VAT)-based contributions are the member states' financial contributions to the EU budget based on the application of a uniform rate to the harmonized VAT base of each country. VAT is a type of sales tax applying to goods and services. It varies among EU countries, but a small percentage of each member state's VAT base goes towards the EU budget.

The Own Resources Decision (ORD) is a law that determines what the EU's 'own resources' or revenue are, their maximum amounts, and how they are collected. The ORD requires unanimous approval from all EU member states before any changes can be made.

Customs duties are taxes imposed on the import, export, or transit of goods. In the context of the EU, these duties are levied at EU external borders and form part of the EU's own resources for its budget. The rates depend on the type of goods and their origin.

The European Commission is an institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. It is the EU's executive arm and has a major role in the formulation and execution of policies, including the EU's budget.

The European Parliament is the legislative body of the European Union. It is directly elected by EU voters every 5 years and together with the Council of the EU, it adopts European legislation, usually on the proposal of the European Commission. The European Parliament has a say in the formulation of the EU's budget.
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