Netherlands sends new EU budget proposal back
The government says the proposed €141 billion cut is insufficient and wants a smaller, differently structured multiannual budget.
Follow-up to: Netherlands rejects Irish proposal for EU budget Saturday, 10 October 2026, 13:45
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The Netherlands has rejected and immediately sent back the new compromise proposal for the EU budget. An agreement on the multiannual financial framework for 2028 to 2034 therefore remains out of reach for now.
The Irish EU presidency put forward a new basis for negotiations on Saturday. It reduces the Commission’s original proposal by €141 billion, to around €1.62 trillion for the 2028–2034 period. The Netherlands believes the cut does not go far enough and also wants a different allocation of the money.
The Dutch rejection is a new step in a conflict that has been ongoing for some time. Earlier, the government had not accepted the Irish proposal because, according to The Hague, the scale of the Netherlands’ contribution would rise too sharply. The Dutch position calls for maintaining the discount on the GNI contribution, restraint on new European loans and greater emphasis on security, defence and competitiveness.
Ireland is trying to bring two groups closer together with the proposal. The so-called frugal countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, want a smaller budget. Other member states want to largely protect agricultural and cohesion funding. Under the Irish plan, according to Euronews, the latter items would be cut less heavily than programmes for competitiveness, foreign cooperation and European administration.
The proposal is not yet a decision and does not set definitive amounts. It serves as a negotiating document for talks between the member states. EU ambassadors will discuss the proposal first, after which ministers and heads of government will consider it. The European Council will meet on 15 and 16 October to discuss the next stage.
For the Netherlands, the total size is not the only issue. The government also wants European funds redirected towards strategic goals such as defence, innovation and economic resilience. Other member states fear that a smaller budget would leave less room for regional development, agriculture, research and support for financially weaker countries.
An agreement on the multiannual framework is needed to ensure that EU programmes can be implemented on time from January 2028. The negotiations must also be coordinated with the European Parliament, which decides on the budget together with the Council. A rapid deal is therefore politically attractive, but without agreement on the size, revenue and allocation, the proposal remains merely a starting point for negotiations.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ireland presented a smaller negotiating proposal for the EU budget for 2028–2034.
- The Netherlands considers the proposed cut insufficient.
- The negotiations also cover agriculture, cohesion, defence, competitiveness and new European revenues.
- A final agreement has not yet been reached.
Left
Arguments The EU must invest sufficiently in public services, regional equality, the agricultural transition, research and social cohesion. A budget that is too small could disadvantage poorer regions and shared European objectives.
Values Solidarity, public investment and reducing regional differences.
Consequences More shared resources could support European objectives, but would require higher contributions or new European revenues.
Centre
Arguments A compromise should protect traditional programmes while also creating room for defence, innovation and competitiveness. The budget must remain controllable and implementable.
Values Balance, predictability and institutional cooperation.
Consequences A broad but moderate deal could retain support, but is unlikely to satisfy any group completely.
Right
Arguments The EU should limit its spending and not burden member states with higher contributions or joint debt. New priorities should mainly be funded by reprioritising within the existing budget.
Values Budgetary discipline, national responsibility and efficient government.
Consequences A smaller budget limits the burden on net contributors, but could reduce European ambitions and support programmes.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The financial outlines and the negotiating process have been confirmed by Reuters, Euronews and European institutions. The text makes clear that this is a negotiating document, not an adopted budget.
- confirmed Ireland put forward a proposal for 2028–2034 that is €141 billion lower than the Commission proposal. — Confirmed by Euronews and Reuters. source
- confirmed The Irish proposal amounts to around €1.62 trillion. — Reuters gives a figure of €1.6 trillion; Euronews cites €1.62 trillion. source
- confirmed The Netherlands wants a smaller budget and a different allocation of resources. — This follows from the Dutch government’s position on the MFF. source
- confirmed The European Council will discuss the next stage on 15 and 16 October. — Mentioned in the briefing by the European Parliament Research Service. source
- confirmed The European Parliament decides on the budget together with the Council. — The EU’s official explanation describes the joint budgetary procedure. source
Editor's note
The size of the Irish proposal and the Dutch position have been confirmed by several public sources. The proposal is not yet an agreement; the precise procedural response from the Netherlands is known mainly through the news source cited in the headline.Sources
- EU budget: Ireland pitches €141bn cuts to appease the ‘frugals’ — Euronews
- EU's Irish presidency wants 8% cut to proposed 2028-2034 budget plan — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Outlook for the European Council meeting of 15-16 October 2026 — European Parliament Research Service
- Update Nederlandse inzet ten aanzien van het Meerjarig Financieel Kader — Tweede Kamer
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 08:43 Netherlands seeks major cut to EU budget
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 12:47 Six net contributors threaten to block EU budget
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 12:45 EU presidency tables new proposal for smaller budget
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 13:45 Netherlands rejects Irish proposal for EU budget
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 21:51 Netherlands sends new EU budget proposal back (this article)