Energy crisis prompts EU to ease budget rules for member states

The announcement comes from Economic Affairs Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in connection with the presentation of the EU's spring economic package.

Member states will be able to spend the equivalent of 0.3 percent of their GDP per year on initiatives to reduce fossil fuel use, without risking the EU imposing punitive measures for excessively high budget deficits.

"It will apply to measures implemented since February 2026 - the beginning of the war in Iran," Dombrovskis said at a press conference in Brussels.

Similar exemptions have already been granted to help countries invest more in their defense.