25 March 2026 08:18 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission announces SAFE funding for Czechia and France

Key points

€2.06bn for Czechia; €15.09bn for France
Council has four weeks to adopt implementing decisions

TL;DR

European Commission says it cleared two national defence plans under the SAFE initiative and submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Czechia and France.
The Commission says funding was provisionally set in September; Czechia will be entitled to €2.06 billion and France to €15.09 billion once loan agreements are signed.
The Commission says the Council has four weeks to adopt implementing decisions; the Commission will finalise loan agreements and first payments are expected in April 2026.

Original text

European Commission - Press release SAFE approvals unlock defence funding for Czechia and France Brussels, 25 March 2026 Following the approval of the first and second wave of defence funding , the European Commission has cleared two national defence plans under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, further strengthening the Union's security and readiness. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Czechia and France. The funding levels for each country were provisionally set in September , based on principles of solidarity and transparency. Czechia and France will be respectively entitled to €2.06 billion and €15.09 billion after the loan agreements are signed. These funds will provide a vital boost to strategic capabilities where they are needed most. Next steps With the Commission's assessment complete, the Council now has four weeks to adopt the implementing decisions. Once approved, the Commission will finalise the loan agreements, with the first payments expected to hit the ground in April 2026. The Council has already adopted the implementing decisions for 16 Member States. Background The SAFE Regulation was adopted on 27 May 2025, as part of the Readiness 2030 , an ambitious defence package providing financial levers to EU Member States to drive an investment surge in defence capabilities. SAFE will allow Member States to immediately and massively scale up their defence investments through joint procurement from the European defence industry, focusing on priority capabilities. This will contribute to ensuring interoperability, predictability, and reducing costs for a strong European defence industrial base. Ukraine and EFTA/EEA countries will be able to join common procurement, and it will be possible to buy from their industries. SAFE will also allow acceding countries, candidate countries, potential candidates and countries having signed Security and Defence Partnerships with the EU to join common procurement and contribute to aggregated demand. They can also negotiate specific, mutually beneficial agreements on the participation of their respective industries in such procurement. For more information White Paper for European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan - Readiness 2030 SAFE Commission approves first wave of defence funding for eight Member States under SAFE Commission approves second wave of SAFE defence funding for eight Member States IP/26/713 Quote(s): "With this round of SAFE funding, we are moving from the stage of opportunities to the stage of delivery. This is about more than just investment; it is about building a hard-power reality where our industries and technologies are resilient, integrated, and standing firmly beside our partners in Ukraine." Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy - 25/03/2026 "The approval of these national plans marks the moment our strategy becomes a reality on the ground. High demand from Member States shows how successful SAFE instrument is. It is providing the financial 'big bang' for the Member States, to fill in their immediate defence readiness gaps and move for more coordinated European spending. Our citizens, industries and militaries will benefit most. By opening these investments to joint procurement, we are ensuring that Europe and Ukraine will grow stronger together." Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space - 25/03/2026 Press contacts: Thomas REGNIER (+32 2 29 91099) Marine STRAUSS (+32 2 29 89103) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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