Brussels – The EU Commission has paid Germany 13.5 billion euros in financial aid. The Federal Republic has implemented reforms in climate and energy policy as well as in digitalization, among other things, the EU Commission announced on Monday. This includes, for example, the further development of the National Hydrogen Strategy and the promotion of clean mobility.

The money comes from the EU funding pot ARF, the so-called Recovery and Resilience Facility, which was established during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. The pot was created in 2021 to address the economic damage caused by the pandemic. The funds are financed through loans that are to be jointly repaid by 2058.

Conditions for EU Aid: Goals instead of Blank Checks

In total, Germany will be able to call up 30.3 billion euros. According to the EU Commission, Germany has so far received 19.75 billion euros. As the Federal Ministry of Finance in Berlin announced, the remaining 10.5 billion euros due to Germany will be called up in 2025 and 2026. The money is to be used, among other things, for the digitization of administration and more climate-friendly transport – for example, by promoting electric cars.

To receive the aid, EU member states must present a plan with concrete investment and reform projects. The funds are performance-based and are only to be paid once agreed milestones and target values in the implementation of planned reforms and investments have been reached. (December 23)