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Budget: how the European Parliament makes the most of its annual funding 

Parliament is able to support the work of its Members and operate in 24 different languages thanks to its annual budget. This represents one fifth of all EU institutions’ total administrative expenditure and only 1.2% of the EU’s general budget. The vast majority of EU funding is invested directly in the member states.

European Parliament budget 2024

European Union budget

This budget includes:
  • 94% : Operational budget of the European Union ( Financing policies carried out at EU level )
  • 6% : Administrative budget of the European institutions ( The European Parliament makes up 1/5 of it )

European Parliament budget

The Parliament budget represents 1% of the EU’s general budget

  • Political activities:

    • Members : 20%
    • Activities of political groups / parties / foundations : 6%

  • Operational costs:

    • IT : 8%
    • Buildings : 11%
    • Administration : 3%

  • Staff:

    • Contract agents and linguistic services : 8%
    • Staff expenses : 34%
    • Other staff related expenses : 3%

  • Comm:

    • Communications : 7%

These categories are used in the Secretary-General's report to the Bureau of the Parliament on the preliminary draft estimates.

The percentages may not add up to 100% due to the use of rounded figures.

How the budget is decided

The procedure for drawing up Parliament’s budget normally starts in February. The Secretary-General comes up with a proposal, defining the priorities and resources for the following year. The Bureau, composed of the President and the 14 Vice-Presidents, use this as the basis for adopting preliminary draft estimates and submits them to the Committee on Budgets.

One of the committee members - known as the budget rapporteur - is appointed to draw up a report outlining Parliament’s work priorities and proposing how much money should be spent on them. First the committee votes on the report and then all MEPs vote on it during a plenary session, usually in April. These estimates are then incorporated in the EU’s draft budget for the following year, which MEPs amend and adopt during a plenary session in December at the latest.

Further information: