MEPs back bigger EU budget and health fund restore

TL;DR

European Parliament's Budgets Committee adopted its position calling for a 10% larger EU budget for 2028-2034 and dedicated funding for the EU4Health programme.
The proposal sets the budget at 1.27% of EU GNI, up from the Commission's plan, with EU4Health actions to receive specific allocation within the European Competitiveness Fund.
This backs restoring a standalone-like health fund amid concerns over merging it into broader pots, ahead of plenary vote on 29 April.

The story at a glance

The European Parliament's Budgets Committee voted on 15 April 2026 to endorse a negotiating position for the EU's next multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2028-2034. MEPs, led by rapporteurs Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO) and Carla Tavares (S&D, PT), seek a 10% budget increase over the Commission's July 2025 proposal and explicit support for EU4Health. The vote comes as Parliament responds to plans merging health funding into the new European Competitiveness Fund, with Euractiv highlighting MEPs' push to bring back the "old health fund."[[1]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities)[[2]](https://www.euractiv.com/news/parliament-backs-bigger-health-fund-in-eu-budget/)

Key points

Budgets Committee approved the interim report 26-9 with 5 abstentions; plenary vote set for 29 April before talks with Council.
Overall MFF at 1.27% of EU GNI (plus 0.11% outside ceilings for NextGenerationEU debt), about €200 billion more than Commission's ~€2 trillion base.[[1]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities)
10% hike spread evenly across priorities like national plans, competitiveness, and global action; protects against inflation.
Calls for dedicated funding for EU4Health actions and LIFE under the Competitiveness Fund, plus €1.74 billion boost for civil protection and health preparedness (UCPM+).[[1]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities)
Preserves separate lines for CAP (+€139bn), cohesion (+€79bn), Horizon Europe (+€25bn), Erasmus+ (+€6.6bn).
Rejects Commission's "one plan per member state" idea to avoid diluting policies; insists on transparency and Parliament oversight.

Details and context

The Commission's July 2025 MFF proposal folds EU4Health – the €4.4 billion 2021-2027 health programme – into the new €200+ billion European Competitiveness Fund alongside 13 other areas like biotech and defence, without ringfencing health spending.[[3]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/ECTI_BRI(2026)780422) MEPs view this as risking health priorities, hence pushing "dedicated funding" to effectively restore a distinct health focus, echoing the "old health fund back" in Euractiv's framing.[[2]](https://www.euractiv.com/news/parliament-backs-bigger-health-fund-in-eu-budget/)

This follows Parliament's long push for health resilience post-COVID, with EU4Health cuts in prior MFF revisions (from €5.3bn initial). The 10% overall rise addresses defence, green/digital shifts, and competitiveness gaps noted in Draghi/Letta reports.

A related "FIRST AID" piece mentions MEPs backing a €10bn EU health fund, likely tying to desired scale under the new MFF.[[2]](https://www.euractiv.com/news/parliament-backs-bigger-health-fund-in-eu-budget/)

Key quotes

“We propose a European budget that is both sufficient and predictable for beneficiaries [...] reinforced, dedicated funding for [...] health.” – Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO, co-rapporteur)[[1]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities)

“New challenges cannot erase responsibilities. [...] Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, civil protection – these programmes [...] shape Europe's future.” – Carla Tavares (S&D, PT, co-rapporteur)[[1]](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities)

Why it matters

A larger MFF with protected health lines signals EU commitment to post-COVID resilience amid defence and climate pressures, avoiding re-nationalisation of funds. For EU citizens and member states, it means potential boosts to cross-border health preparedness, crisis response, and access without competing in mega-funds. Watch the 29 April plenary vote and Council position; final deal could shift if states resist the 10% hike or dedicated health carve-outs.