EU Parliament Committees Back Larger Infrastructure Fund
Committees endorsed a negotiating mandate for the 2028-2034 Connecting Europe Facility, with a proposed budget above the Commission's figure.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Europe
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Parliament's Energy and Transport Committees agreed to strengthen the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU's main funding tool for key cross-border infrastructure projects. They endorsed a mandate for interinstitutional negotiations with the Council by 85 votes to 24.
Why it matters
The Connecting Europe Facility funds cross-border transport, energy and military mobility projects across Europe. A larger budget would affect which infrastructure receives EU co-funding in the 2028-2034 period.
MEPs propose a transport pillar of €37.96 billion, a military mobility pillar of €19.78 billion and an energy pillar of €33.53 billion. Final allocations remain subject to negotiation with the Council.
The players
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, sharing lawmaking power with the Council.
Connecting Europe Facility
The Connecting Europe Facility is the EU's main funding instrument for cross-border transport, energy and digital infrastructure projects.
The details
MEPs want projects serving several objectives to receive a higher co-funding rate. The Commission proposed the new CEF regulation on 16 July 2025, and the committee text asks the Commission to adopt multiannual work programmes.
Timeline
16 July 2025: The Commission proposed the new CEF regulation.
10 November 2026: Committees adopted their position and endorsed the negotiating mandate.
2028-2034: Long-term budget period covered by the CEF.
Seasonal Patterns
The Connecting Europe Facility was established as the EU's main instrument for cross-border infrastructure, and this proposal extends that framework into the 2028-2034 budget period. The proposed military mobility pillar of €19.78 billion marks a new funding category within the existing CEF structure.
Cross-border rail, port and energy projects receiving CEF funding could change travel routes and connections across Europe over the coming decade. Travellers planning long-term trips may see infrastructure upgrades at ports such as Cork and Valencia and on the Lyon-Turin corridor.
The takeaway
EU infrastructure funding decisions made now shape the cross-border travel and transport options available through the early 2030s. Watching the plenary vote and Council negotiations will show how much of the proposed budget survives.
What happens next
The full European Parliament is expected to vote on the negotiating mandate in a future plenary session, after which talks with the Council will begin.
Further reading
For more on European transport and cross-border destinations, see Europe.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Temas | Parlamento Europeo.
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