NextGenerationEU reaches its final milestone: the deadline for implementing the national plans expires today

Brussels – Today (31 August) marks the deadline for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (NRRP), the central pillar of NextGenerationEU: Member States must meet the deadline for implementing the reforms and investments set out in their respective national recovery and resilience plans. The European Commission has announced this in a press release. 

As NextGenerationEU enters its final phase, attention is now turning to completing the final steps required to successfully bring the Recovery and Resilience Facility to a close. Member States have until 30 September 2026 to submit their final payment claims, accompanied by all the supporting documentation necessary to demonstrate that the agreed objectives have been met. The next key date is 31 December 2026, by which the European Commission has committed to completing all payments, thereby bringing to a close a funding cycle that has accompanied the Union for several years. 

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, states that “NextGenerationEU has helped to protect our citizens and our economies at a time of great uncertainty. It has accelerated the transition to a clean and digital economy, cutting Europe’s reliance on imported energy. The reforms and resilience it has brought about will benefit Europe for generations to come.” 

According to the Berlaymont Building, NextGenerationEU has supported economic activity at a critical time, helping to keep unemployment at record lows and accelerating strategic investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technologies. 

Beyond the economic results, according to the Commission, NextGenerationEU has above all demonstrated “the strength of European unity,
proving that when Europe acts quickly, ambitiously and together, it can rise to exceptional challenges.” 

Just today, the Commission has given the green light to Sweden’s request for final payment, as the country has completed 100 per cent of the investments and reforms set out in its Recovery and Resilience Plan, with following closely behind Denmark, which had already achieved the same milestone. To date, a total of €440 billion has been disbursed, while a further €133 billion is due to be paid out by the end of 2026. According to the Commission, the coming months present an opportunity to build on this momentum and realise the full potential of NextGenerationEU. 

Among the beneficiaries of the programme, Italy is the country with the largest share of NextGenerationEU funds: a total of €194.4 billion has been allocated to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), comprising €71.8 billion in non-repayable grants and €122.6 billion in loans. Of the total €194.4 billion made available, Italy has received €165.2 billion (€105.2 billion in loans, €60.7 billion in guarantees) across nine instalments and must now apply for the tenth one. 

The EU Commission’s note also specifies that, as of tomorrow, any measures taken by Member States will no longer be taken into account by the Commission when assessing payment requests, including cases where payments have already been suspended, and it will no longer be possible to make further amendments to the national recovery and resilience plans.