NextGenerationEU reaches implementation deadline
Today marks an important milestone for the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU, as Member States reach the final implementation deadline for the reforms and investments set out in their national recovery and resilience plans. This is a defining moment for the EU’s unprecedented common response to two major crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As NextGenerationEU enters its final phase, the focus now turns to completing the remaining steps for a successful conclusion of the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Member States have until 30 September 2026 to submit their final payment requests under the RRF, together with all supporting evidence, while the Commission will complete all payments by 31 December 2026.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said:
“NextGenerationEU helped protect our citizens and economies at a time of great uncertainty. It accelerated the clean and digital transitions, cutting Europe’s reliance on imported energy. The reforms and the resilience will benefit Europe for generations to come.”
At a time of exceptional uncertainty, Europe chose bold, united and forward-looking action. Through NextGenerationEU and its flagship instrument, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Union helped protect its economy and strengthen its resilience in the face of a pandemic, as well as major geopolitical and energy challenges. This common European response gave the Union the tools to act decisively, support investment and promote convergence among Member States.
NextGenerationEU supported economic activity at a critical time, helped keep unemployment at record-low levels, and accelerated strategic investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies. These efforts have strengthened the Union’s energy independence and helped lay the foundations for greater protection against volatile fossil fuel prices. The large-scale deployment of renewables and related reforms financed through national recovery and resilience plans has reduced Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and reinforced its resilience to external shocks.
NextGenerationEU has also demonstrated an important lesson for Europe’s future: public investment has a particularly strong impact when paired with structural reforms. By linking funding to ambitious national reform and investment agendas, NextGenerationEU has provided a blueprint for a stronger EU growth model based on resilience, sustainability, productivity and cohesion.
Above all, NextGenerationEU has shown the strength of European unity. It proved that when Europe acts quickly, ambitiously and together, it can rise to exceptional challenges. Delivering national plans has required sustained effort from Member States, EU institutions, stakeholders and citizens alike. Europe is now entering the final stage of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with strong progress already achieved.
In this context, the Commission greenlighted today Sweden’s final payment request who successfully completed 100% of its investments and reforms linked to its recovery and resilience plan, shortly after Denmark. As of today, €440 billion has been disbursed, with up to a further €133 billion to be paid by the end of 2026. The months ahead offer an opportunity to build on this momentum and deliver the full potential of NextGenerationEU.
Background
From tomorrow on, actions taken by Member States cannot be considered by the Commission in the assessment of their payment requests, including for already suspended payments, and no further amendments to recovery and resilience plans can be adopted.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility has been instrumental in mitigating the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while positioning the EU for long-term success. With up to €573 billion available in grants and loans, the RRF is supporting Member States’ efforts to:
- Strengthen economic resilience and foster sustainable growth.
- Accelerate the clean and digital transitions, aligning with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target.
- Enhance competitiveness through innovation, job creation, and structural reforms.
Payments under the RRF are performance-based, ensuring that funds are disbursed only upon the successful implementation of agreed reforms and investments.
