AMENDING LETTER No 1 TO THE DRAFT GENERAL BUDGET 2024 Updated estimated needs for agricultural expenditure Other adjustments and technical updates
Date: 2023-10-09
Institutions: Directorate-General for Budget, European Commission
Subjects: EAGF, EU expenditure, EU office or agency, European Public Prosecutor's Office, amending budget, carry-over of appropriations, draft budget (EU), financial year, fishing agreement, general budget (EU), interest

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 9.10.2023  COM(2023) 531 final 2023/0264 (BUD)    AMENDING LETTER No 1 TO THE DRAFT GENERAL BUDGET 2024             Updated estimated needs for agricultural expenditure      Other adjustments and technical updates                                                      
 
 
Having regard to: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the Treaty  on the  Functioning  of the European Union, and in  particular Article 314 
thereof,  in  conjunction  with  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Atomic  Energy 
Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof, 

Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of 
own resources of the European Union1, entered into force on 1 June 2021, 

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union 
(…)2, and in particular Article 42 thereof, 

the  draft  general  budget  of  the  European  Union  for  the  financial  year  2024,  as 
adopted by the Commission on 5 July 20233, 

The  European  Commission  hereby  presents  to  the  European  Parliament  and  to  the  Council 
Amending  Letter  No 1  to  the  draft  general  budget  of  the  European  Union  for  the  financial 
year 2024, for the reasons set out in the explanatory memorandum. 

CHANGES  TO  THE  STATEMENT  OF  REVENUE  AND  EXPENDITURE  BY 
SECTION 

The changes to the general statement of expenditure and revenue as well to the statements of 
(https://eur-
revenue  and 
lex.europa.eu/budget/www/index-en.htm).  An  English  version  of  the  changes  to  this 
statement is attached for information as a budgetary annex. 

section  are  available  on  EUR-Lex 

expenditure  by 

1  

2  
3 

Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of 
the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom, OJ L 424, 15.12.2020. 
OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1. 
COM(2023) 300 final, 5.7.2023. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

Amending  Letter  No 1  (AL 1/2024)  to  the  draft  budget  for  the  year  2024  (DB 2024)  covers  the 
following elements: 

⎯  Downward revision of the needs for the interest line for NextGenerationEU, against the backdrop 

of a lower level of NextGenerationEU disbursements in 2023 than previously estimated; 

⎯  Update of the estimated needs, assigned revenue and appropriations for agricultural expenditure. 
In addition to changing market factors, AL 1/2024 also incorporates the impact of decisions in the 
agricultural  sector  since  the  DB  2024  was  adopted  in  July  2023,  as  well  as  other  proposals 
expected to have a significant effect during the financial year; 

⎯  Update  of  the  estimated  needs  for  the  Sustainable  Fisheries  Partnership  Agreements  (SFPAs), 
taking  into  account  the  recently  signed  agreement  and  the  related  protocol  with  the  Republic  of 
Madagascar  and  the  new  protocol  with  the  Republic  of  Kiribati  that  entered  in  provisional 
application on 2 October 2023; 

⎯  Adjustments  to  the  level  of  appropriations  and/or  staff  of  several  decentralised  agencies,  in 
particular the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), the European 
Union  Agency  for  the  Operational  Management  of  Large-Scale  IT  Systems  in  the  Area  of 
Freedom,  Security  and  Justice  (eu-LISA)  and  the  European  Public  Prosecutor's  Office  (EPPO), 
taking into account the latest legislative or political developments on their operations for 2024 and 
amounts to be moved from reserve lines to operational lines following adoption of legal proposals; 

⎯  Transfer  of  European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF)  resources  to  Horizon  Europe 
following a corresponding request made by Lithuania to amend its ERDF programme pursuant to 
Article 26 of the Common Provisioning Regulation4; 

⎯  Adjustments  to  the  heading  7  “European  Public  Administration”,  notably  in  relation  to  the 
European  External  Action  Service  (EEAS)  to  further  reinforce  Military  Planning  and  Conduct 
Capability (MPCC), including both a staff increase and strengthening of the communication and 
information system, as well as other minor adjustments for the heading. 

⎯  Amounts  to  be  moved  from  the  reserve  line  to  the  operational  line  for  the  Act  in  Support  of 
Ammunition  Production  (ASAP)  and  the  European  Defence  Industry  Reinforcement  through 
common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) following adoption of the basic acts. 

Overall,  the  net  impact  of  AL 1/2024  on  expenditure  in  the  DB 2024  is  a  decrease  of 
EUR 67,4 million in commitment and payment appropriations. 

More information on each component is provided in the following sections.  

The relevant budget lines are detailed in the budgetary annex, together with the update of the revenue 
resulting from the expenditure changes included in this amending letter. 

2. 

FUNDING COSTS NEXTGENERATIONEU 

In the context of the DB 2024, the Commission proposed a reinforcement of the EURI interest line by 
EUR 1,9 billion as compared to the financial programming for 2024, based on projections of interest 
rates and NGEU disbursements until the end of 2023 as they stood at that time. 

The latest projections on the EURI line as at 8 October 2023 point to total amount of disbursements 
for the non-repayable support in 2023 of EUR 79,9 billion, which is a decrease by about EUR 3 billon 

4  

Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common 
provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the 
Just  Transition  Fund  and  the European  Maritime,  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  Fund  and financial  rules for  those 
and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial 
Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159–706. 

2 

 
 
 
 
compared to the disbursement  plan  taken into account in  DB 2024. Under this  new scenario,  which 
also takes into account slightly higher interest rates and an increase by EUR 10 million of the amount 
that can be carried over from year 2023, the estimated cost for the interest line stands at EUR 3 790 
million,  i.e.  a  decrease  by  EUR  74  million.  The  Commission  proposes  to  decrease  the  level  of 
commitment and payment appropriations of the EURI interest line accordingly.  

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 
06 04 01 

European  Union  Recovery  Instrument  (EURI)  –  Payment  of  periodic 
coupon and redemption of maturity 

Total 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

-74 000 000 

-74 000 000 

-74 000 000 

-74 000 000 

With  the  proposed  reduction,  the  recourse  to  the  Single  Margin  Instrument  under  sub-heading  2b 
would be reduced by EUR 72,0 million to EUR 300,8 million. 

3. 

EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL GUARANTEE FUND (EAGF) 

AL 1/2024 updates the estimates for agricultural expenditure based on the most up-to-date economic 
data  and  legislative  framework.  By  September  2023,  the  Commission  had  at  its  disposal  a  first 
indication of the level of production for 2023 and the outlook for the agricultural markets as well as 
actual figures for most of the 2023 budget execution as regards EAGF shared management, which are 
the basis for the updated estimates of the budgetary needs for 2024.  

Apart from taking into account market factors, AL 1/2024 also incorporates the impact of legislative 
decisions in the agricultural sector since the DB 2024 was adopted in July 2023.  

Overall,  2024  EAGF  needs,  including  the  agricultural  reserve  (which  is  financed  from  an  unspent 
amount  of  the  2023  agricultural  reserve  of  EUR  200  million,  as  well  as  from  the  2024  EAGF 
availabilities), are now estimated at EUR 41 450,6  million5. This is an increase by EUR 343 million 
compared to the DB 2024, which is due to  respectively (i)  additional needs of EUR 280 million for 
item  08  02  01  “Agricultural  reserve”,  (ii)  higher  needs  for  Member  States’  market  measures  and 
interventions by EUR 61 million, mainly due to the higer needs for the fruit and vegetables sector, and 
(iii) a minor increase of EUR 2 million for other EAGF expenditure. 

In 2023, exceptional measures with an overall financial impact of EUR 530 million were adopted to 
provide  support  to  farmers  struck  by  avian  influenza,  to  address  the  market  disruptions  caused  by 
increased imports of Ukrainian grain in the frontline Member States, as well as to provide assistance 
to  farmers  afftected  by  extreme  weather  events  and  other  specific  problems.  This  overall  amount 
exceeded by EUR 80 million the availabilities of the 2023 agricultural reserve.  Out of the EUR 450 
million  available,  EUR  250  million  are  expected  to  be  used  in  2023,  based  on  the  latest 
implementation data and Member States forcasts. The remaining amount of EUR 200 million will be 
carried over to  year 2024 in  accordance with  Article 16 (2) of the CAP  Horizontal  Regulation6 and 
will  be  used  for  the  reimbursement  of  Member  States’  expenditure  related  to  these  exceptional 
measures  adopted  in  2023  but  paid  after  15  October,  thus  belonging  to  the  2024  agricultural  year. 
Furthermore,  to  be  able  to  cover  in  full  the  legacy  of  the  exceptional  measures  adopted  in  2023,  in 
accordance with Article 16 (2) first subparagraph of the CAP Horizontal Regulation the Commission 
proposes to increase the fresh appropriations of the 2024 agricultural reserve to EUR 530 million, i.e. 

5  

6  

The  needs  amount  corresponds  to  EUR 40  602,1 million  of  fresh  appropriations  plus  EUR 848,5 million  of 
assigned revenue. 
Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, 
management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, OJ 
L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 187–261. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
an increase by EUR 80 million compared to the DB 2024. This will allow to keep EUR 450 million 
for new exceptional measures that may be adopted next year to respond to possible market disruptions 
caused  by  the  continously  unstable  geopolitical  context  and,  increasingly,  adverse  climate  events 
across the EU. 

The amount of assigned revenue expected to be available in 2024 increases from EUR 505,5 million 
in the DB 2024 to EUR 848,5 million which fully covers the additional needs. The expected increase 
of assigned revenue originates from the expected 2023 surplus, which will be carried over to 2024 in 
accordance with Article 12(2)(d) of the Financial Regulation. The surplus originates from the under-
execution of the 2023 agricultural reserve as explained above and a relatively small under-execution 
of  direct  payments,  as  well  as  higher-than-expected  assigned  revenue  from  the  clearance  of  EAGF 
accounts. 

Consequently, the overall amount of commitment appropriations remains unchanged at EUR 40 602,1 
million, which includes EUR 530 million for the agricultural reserve. This overall amount corresponds 
to the net balance available for the EAGF, including the effect of the Member States’ notifications on 
transfers between direct payments and rural development, and leaves no margin under the sub-ceiling.  

4.  

UPDATE OF THE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS 

The  Commission  has  examined  the  most  recent  information  available  concerning  Sustainable 
Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) and reviewed the expected needs for 2024 on the basis of 
the developments in the negotiations with the third countries involved, as foreseen in point C of Part II 
of  the  Interinstitutional Agreement  (IIA)7.  On  the  basis  of  this  review,  the  Commission  proposes  to 
move  commitment  and  payment  appropriations  for  an  amount  of  EUR  2  560  000  from  the  reserve 
(budget article 30 02 02) to the operational article (08 05 01 Establishing a governance framework for 
fishing activities carried out by Union fishing vessels in third-country waters). This budgetary-neutral 
transfer  relates  to  the  SFPAs  with  the  Republic  of  Madagascar,  which  entered  into  provisional 
application  on  1  July  2023  and  with  the  Republic  of  Kiribati,  which  entered  into  provisional 
application on 2 October 2023.  

The  total  available  commitment  appropriations  for  the  sustainable  fisheries  partnership  agreements 
remain  unchanged  at  EUR  156,7  million,  of  which  EUR  66,9  million  in  the  reserve  and  EUR  89,9 
million on the main operational line. 

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

08 05 01 

30 02 02 

Total 

Establishing  a  governance  framework  for  fishing  activities  carried 
out by Union fishing vessels in third country waters 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 08 05 01) 

2 560 000 

-2 560 000 
0 

 2 560 000 

- 2 560 000 
0 

5. 

DECENTRALISED AGENCIES AND EUROPEAN PUBLIC PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE 

5.1. 

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) 

In DAB 4/20238, the Commission has proposed to increase the EU contribution to the EPPO for the 
security  of  the  building  and  of  the  IT  systems,  as  well  as  by  allocating  eight  additional  temporary 

7  

8  

Interinstitutional  Agreement  between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  of  the  European  Union  and  the 
European  Commission  on  budgetary  discipline,  on  cooperation  in  budgetary  matters  and  on  sound  financial 
management,  as  well  as  on  new  own  resources,  including  a  roadmap  towards  the  introduction  of  new  own 
resources, OJ L 433, 20.12.2020, p. 28. 
COM(2023)530 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
agent posts. The 2024 budget of the EPPO is proposed to be increased by EUR 2 million to cover a 
one-off reinforcement of IT and building security as well as the salaries of the new staff planned to be 
recruited in 2023 on a full-year basis.  

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 
07 10 08 
Total 

European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

2 000 000 
2 000 000 

2 000 000 
2 000 000 

The related changes to the establishment plan are set out in the budgetary annex. 

5.2.  

European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) 

Following the setting  up of the International  Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression 
against  Ukraine  (ICPA),  Eurojust  will  provide  operational,  legal,  financial,  and  logistical  support, 
including for preserving, storing, and analysing evidence. This work is essential to prepare for future 
trials, before national or international courts, including a possible tribunal for the crime of aggression 
or  the  International  Criminal  Court  (ICC)  for  crimes  within  its  jurisdiction.  The  corresponding 
additional ICPA tasks for Eurojust require a reinforcement of the agency establishment plan by four 
temporary agents in 2024. The related reinforcement of the EU contribution to Eurojust will be paid 
from  the  Foreign  Policy Instruments  (FPI)  via contribution  agreements for the  ICPA tasks, thus  not 
requiring additional appropriations from the EU budget. 

The related changes to the establishment plan are set out in the budgetary annex. 

5.3. European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the 

Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (‘eu-LISA’) 

Following the conclusion of the political  negotiations on the  Regulation on the Digitalisation of the 
visa  procedure9,  the  budget  for  eu-LISA  needs  to  be  updated  for  2024  in  line  with  the  updated 
Legislative Financial Statement. This entails a reduction of the number of temporary agents (from five 
to  one)  and  of  contract  agents  (from  three  to  zero).  The  political  agreement  reached  also  implies  a 
reduction of the appropriations required in 2024. Out of the foreseen amount of EUR 19 945 000 in 
reserve  for  this  Regulation,  which  was  offset  from  the  Instrument  for  financial  support  for  border 
management and visa (BMVI), it is proposed to transfer EUR 86 000 to the operational line and EUR 
19 859 000 back to BMVI.  

The related changes to the establishment plan are set out in the budgetary annex. 

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 
30 02 02 
11 10 02 

11 02 01 
Total 

Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 11 10 02) 
European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT 
Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (‘eu-LISA’) 
Instrument for financial support for border management and visa 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

-19 945 000 

-19 945 000 

86 000 

19 859 000 
0 

86 000 

19 859 000 
0 

9  

COM(2022) 658 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
5.4.  

Transfers from the reserves to the operational lines of decentralised agencies due to the 

adoption of legal acts.  

Due to the forthcoming or already occured adoption of the following legal acts by the co-legislators, 
the Commission proposes to transfer the amounts currently placed in reserves for the implementation 
of these legal acts to the operational lines of the decentralised agencies concerned:  

•  European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (02 10 01): Following the political agreement 
on  the  Commission  proposal  on  ensuring  a  level  playing  field  for  sustainable  air  transport10,  an 
amount of EUR 2 774 000 in commitment and payment appropriations will be transferred from the 
reserve line to the operational line. 

•  European  Maritime  Safety  Agency  (EMSA)  (02  10  02):  Following  the  adoption  of  Regulation 
2023/1805  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  22  September  2023  on  the  use  of 
renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport and amending Directive 2009/16/EC11 , an 
amount of EUR 1 191 000 in commitment and payment appropriations will be transferred from the 
reserve line to the operational line. 

•  European  Securities  and  Markets  Authority  (ESMA)  (03  10  04):  Following  the  political 
agreement on the Commission proposal on a European Single Access Point12 , an amount of EUR 
1 007 000 in commitment and payment appropriations will be transferred from the reserve line to 
the operational line. 

The  table  below  provides  an  overview  of  the  amounts  that  are  proposed  to  be  released  from  the 
reserve following the adoption of corresponding basic acts: 

Budget line 

Name 

02 10 01 
30 02 02 
02 10 02 
30 02 02 
03 10 04 
30 02 02 
Total 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 02 10 01) 
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 02 10 02) 
European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 03 10 04) 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

2 774 000 
-2 774 000 
1 191 000 
- 1 191 000 
1 007 000 
- 1 007 000 
0 

2 774 000 
-2 774 000 
1 191 000 
-1 191 000 
1 007 000 
-1 007 000 
0 

TRANSFER  OF  EUROPEAN  REGIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  FUND  RESOURCES  TO  HORIZON 

6. 
EUROPE FOR LITHUANIA 
Following the request of Lithuania in an amendment of its ERDF programme13 to transfer resources 
pursuant  to  Article  26  of  the  Common  Provisions  Regulation  (CPR),  additional  resources  can  be 
implemented under Horizon Europe in accordance with the rules of the instrument, for the benefit of 
the Member State concerned. The appropriations are inscribed on separate budget lines. 

On this basis, the Commission proposes the following  changes to  the budget  lines concerned in the 
DB 2024: 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

-10 543 750 
10 543 750 
0 

0 
0 
0 

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 
05 02 01 
05 02 09 
Total 

ERDF –Operational expenditure 
Horizon Europe – Contribution from the ERDF 

10  
11  
12  
13  

COM(2021) 561 
OJ L234, 22.09.2023 p.48-100. 
COM(2021) 725 
COM(2023) 3269 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. 

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE HEADING 7 “EUROPEAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION” 

7.1 ADJUSTMENTS  TO  THE  EXPENDITURE  OF  THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE (EEAS) 
FOR THE INCREASE OF MILITARY SNES 

In its Statement of Estimates for 2024, the EEAS flagged that a number of ongoing discussions had 
not yet reached sufficient maturity to justify the inclusion of the corresponding resources in the 2024 
Draft Budget but could become part of an Amending Letter at a later stage. 

Among these actions, the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) Roadmap has advanced 
sufficiently  to  be  included  in  the  Amending  Letter.  The  Member  States  stated  in  the  Strategic 
Compass that they would “ensure that the Military Planning and Conduct Capability is fully able to 
plan,  control  and  command  non-executive  and  executive  tasks  and  operations,  as  well  as  live 
exercises.  In  this  context,  we  will  ramp  up  personnel  contributions  and  ensure  that  we  have  the 
necessary communication and information systems, as well as required facilities”. 

In light of the ambition agreed in the Strategic Compass for the future development of the MPCC as 
the  preferred  command  and  control  structure,  the  required  reinforcement  of  its  resources  would 
happen through:  

• 

• 

the  financing  of  55  cost-shared  Military  SNEs,  out  of  which  20  will  replace  cost-free  SNEs 
included  in  DAB  4/2023,  increasing  the  MPCC  staff  to  a  total  of  115.  This  will  require  an 
increase of appropriations of EUR 3 394 400.  

the partial financing of the necessary actions to cover the costs for having EEAS as a Single 
Communication  and  Information  System  (CIS)  Service  Provider  for  MPCC  (the  remainder 
will be borne by the European Peace Facility). In the context of the EU's military support to 
Ukraine  the  security  environment  has  changed  dramatically,  hence  filling  in  of  the  existing 
CIS  gaps  has  become  a  necessity.  This  will  require  an  increase  of  appropriations  of 
EUR 4 126 000  covering  in  particular  both  the  financing  of  CIS  Service  and  of  four  related 
experts. 

• 

the financing of four contract agents for the CIS Support Services. It is therefore proposed to 
increase appropriations by EUR 414 700. 

the  above  elements  correspond 

All 
EUR 7 935 100. 

to  an 

increase 

in  Section  X  EEAS  by  a 

total  of  

Budget line 

Name 

Section X – European External Action Service (EEAS) 

1 2 0 0 

1 2 0 5 

2 1 0 0 

2 1 0 1 

Total 

Contract staff 

Military seconded national experts 

Information and communication technology 

Cryptography and highly classified information and communications 
technology 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

414 700 

3 394 400 

2 271 000 

1 855 000 

414 700 

3 394 400 

2 271 000 

1 855 000 

7 935 100 

7 935 100 

7.2 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXPENDITURE OF THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS (ECA)  

Following a clerical error, the European Court of Auditors omitted to include in its budget request for 
2024 an amount of EUR 330 000 relating to the annual fees charged-back by the Commission for the 
use  of  the  payment  application  (NAP)  and  Sysper.  It  is  therefore  proposed  to  increase  the  related 
budget line accordingly.  

EUR 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
Budget line 

Name 

Section V – European Court of Auditors 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

2 1 0 2 

Total 

External  services  for  the  operation,  implementation  and  maintenance  of 
software and systems 

330 000 

330 000 

330 000 

330 000 

7.3 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXPENDITURE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (EP)  

In  the  context  of  the  handling  of  unemployment  files  of  former  parliamentary  assistants,  the 
Paymaster  Office  (PMO)  is  currently  invoicing  the  European  Parliament  (EP)  to  cover  the  related 
workload.  Given  the  recurrent  nature  of  this  service,  with  particular  peaks  in  the  aftermaths  of 
European  elections,  it  has  been  agreed  between  the  PMO  and  the  EP  that  part  of  the  total  annual 
budget  should  be  directly  allocated  to  PMO  instead  of  the  EP,  thus  allowing  PMO  to  recruit  the 
contract  agents  needed  to  manage  these  files  on  a  permanent  base.  The  remaining  cost,  which  will 
depend of the actual annual volume of files to be managed,  will continue to be invoiced to the EP. 

Consequently, it is proposed to include this budgetary-neutral transfer, resulting in a reduction of the 
EP’s budget request for 2024 by EUR 300 000 with an equivalent increase of PMO’s budget. 

Budget line 

Name 

Section I – European Parliament 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

1 4 0 0 

Other staff — Secretariat and political groups 

- 300 000 

-300 000 

Section III – European Commission 

O3 01 02 
Total 

External personnel 

300 000 

0 

300 000 

0 

7.4 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXPENDITURE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION  

The Commission proposes to include in AL1/2024 a reduction of EUR 3,7 million of the expenditure 
on salaries in the Commission to take into account the impact of the downgrading of 78 AST posts to 
AST-SC, reflecting the recent decision of the Commission14 in respect of the 2023 establishment plan 
in accordance with Article 53 of the Financial Regulation. 

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 

20 01 02 01 

Remuneration and allowances — Headquarters and Representation offices 

Total 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

-3 677 000 

-3 677 000 

-3 677 000 

-3 677 000 

Overall, the combined effect on the expenditure estimated in the 2024 Draft Budget for heading 7 is 
an  increase  of  EUR  4,6  million  for  administrative  expenditure,  whereas  the  expenditure  for  the 
pensions and the European Schools remains unchanged.  

The overall impact on expenditure is as follows: 

Amounts in million EUR 

DB 2024 

Amending Letter 
1 to DB 2024 

DB 2024 with AL1 

Pensions and European Schools 

Pensions 

European Schools 

14  

C (2023) 5001 final, 11.7.2023. 

2 812,6 

2 565,5 

247,2 

8 

2 812,6 

2 565,5 

247,2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Administrative expenditure of the institutions 

Commission 

Other institutions 

European Parliament 

European Council and Council 

Court of Justice of the European Union 

Court of Auditors 

European Economic and Social Committee 

Committee of the Regions 

European Ombudsman 

European Data Protection Supervisor 

European External Action Service 

Total  

9 137 

4 221,4 

4 915,6 

2 354,9 

676,8 

502,4 

184,8 

164,9 

121,9 

13,7 

23,9 

872,2 

11 949,6 

7,3 

-3,4 

10,7 

-0,3 

0,3 

7,9 

4,6 

9 144,3 

 4 218,1 

4 926,2 

2 354,6 

 676,8 

 502,4 

185,1 

164,9 

121,9 

13,7 

23,9 

880,1 

11 954,2 

Consequently, the recourse to the Single Margin Instrument under heading 7 needs to be increased by 
an  amount  of  EUR  4,6  million  compared  to  DB  2024,  leading  to  the  use  of  the  Single  Margin 
Instrument Article 11(1)(a) for an amount of EUR 181,2 million in 2024 in order to comply with all 
legal  obligations.  Nevertheless,  total  expenditure  for  administration  under  heading  7  in  the  period 
2021-2024  remains  within  the  ceilings  set  for  this  heading  in  the  MFF  Regulation,  given  that  the 
unused margins in heading 7 in 2021-2022 amounted to EUR 467 million. 

8. 

TRANSFER FROM THE RESERVE LINE TO THE OPERATIONAL LINES 

Due to the adoption of the corresponding legal acts by the co-legislators, the Commission proposes to 
transfer  the  amounts  currently  placed  in  reserves  for  the  Act  in  Support  of  Ammunition  Production 
(ASAP)15  and  the  European  Defence  Industry  Reinforcement  through  common  Procurement  Act 
(EDIRPA)16 to the operational lines of the programmes concerned, as follows: 

Budget line 

Name 

Section III – Commission 
13 06 01 
13 07 01 
30 02 02 
30 02 02 
Total 

Short-term Defence instrument on common procurement 
Defence Industrial Reinforcement Instrument 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 13 06 01) 
Differentiated appropriations (Reserve for budget article 13 07 01) 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Payment 
appropriations 

EUR 

259 972 301 
343 000 000 
-259 972 301 
-343 000 000 
0 

100 000 000 
78 500 000 
-100 000 000 
-78 500 000 
0 

9. 

FINANCING 

Overall,  the  net  impact  of  AL  1/2024  on  expenditure  in  the  DB  2024  is  a  decrease  of  EUR  67,4 
million in commitment and payment appropriations. 

The combined impact of the decrease of funding costs on the EURI interest line and the  increase of 
expenditure for heading 7 lead to a reduction of the amounts proposed to be mobilised from the Single 
Margin Instrument by EUR 67,4 million. 

15  

16  

Regulation  (EU)  2023/1525  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  20  July  2023  on  supporting 
ammunition production (ASAP), OJ L 185, 24.7.2023, p. 7–25. 
Regulation (EU) 2023/xxx of the European Parliament and of the Council of xx September 2023 on establishing 
the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act, OJ L xxx, xx.10.2023, xxx. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. 

SUMMARY TABLE BY MFF HEADING 

Draft budget 2024 

Amending Letter 1 to 
Draft Budget 2024 

Draft Budget 2024 incl. 
AL1 

CA 

PA 

CA 

PA 

CA 

PA 

21 431 352 987 

20 916 212 003 

21 431 352 987  

20 916 212 003  

1. 

Single  Market,  Innovation  and 
Digital 

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Ceiling 

21 598 000 000 

Margin 

166 647 013 

21 598 000 000  

166 647 013  

2. 

Cohesion, Resilience and Values 

74 979 363 449 

34 186 039 329 

-72 000 000  

-72 000 000  

74 907 363 449  

34 114 039 329  

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

1 335 350 949 

1 335 350 949  

372 816 884 

-72 000 000  

300 816 884  

Ceiling 

73 289 000 000 

Margin 

17 804 384 

73 289 000 000  

17 804 384  

64 665 195 616 

24 155 654 152 

64 665 195 616  

24 155 654 152  

2a. 

Economic,  social  and 
cohesion 

territorial 

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Ceiling 

64 683 000 000 

Margin 

17 804 384 

64 683 000 000  

17 804 384  

2b.  Resilience and values 

10 314 167 833 

10 030 385 177 

-72 000 000  

-72 000 000  

10 242 167 833  

9 958 385 177  

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

1 335 350 949 

1 335 350 949  

372 816 884 

-72 000 000  

300 816 884  

Ceiling 

8 606 000 000 

Margin 

8 606 000 000  

57 388 890 839 

54 232 567 941 

57 388 890 839  

54 232 567 941  

3. 

Natural 
Environment 

Resources 

and 

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Ceiling 

57 449 000 000 

Margin 

60 109 161 

57 449 000 000  

60 109 161  

Of  which:  Market 
expenditure and direct payments 

related 

40 602 078 000 

40 590 282 213 

40 602 078 000  

40 590 282 213  

EAGF sub-ceiling 

40 603 000 000 

40 603 000 000  

10 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Rounding difference excluded for 
calculating the sub-margin 
Net transfers between EAGF and 
EAFRD 
 Net balance available for EAGF 
expenditure 
 Adjusted EAGF sub-ceiling 
corrected by transfers between 
EAGF and EAFRD 

40 602 078 000 

40 603 000 000 

EAGF sub-margin 

922 000 

922 000 

922 000  

40 602 078 000  

40 603 000 000  

922 000  

EAGF sub-margin (excluding the 
rounding difference) 
Border 

and 

Migration 
Management 

4. 

3 896 705 671 

3 257 967 443 

3 896 705 671  

3 257 967 443  

Ceiling 

4 020 000 000 

4 020 000 000  

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

5. 

Security and Defence 

2 304 177 926 

2 028 413 531 

2 304 177 926  

2 028 413 531  

Margin 

123 294 329 

123 294 329  

Ceiling 

2 004 000 000 

300 177 926 

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Margin 

2 004 000 000  

300 177 926  

6. 

Neighbourhood and the World 

15 830 000 000 

15 111 157 313 

15 830 000 000  

15 111 157 313  

of which under Flexibility Instruments 

Ceiling 

15 830 000 000 

15 830 000 000  

of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Margin 

7. 

European Public Administration 

11 949 625 456 

11 949 625 456 

4 588 100  

4 588 100  

11 954 213 556  

11 954 213 556  

Ceiling 

11 773 000 000 

11 773 000 000  

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Margin 

which: 

of 
expenditure of the institutions 

Administrative 

176 625 456 

4 588 100  

181 213 556  

9 137 000 694 

9 137 000 694 

4 588 100  

4 588 100  

9 141 588 794  

9 141 588 794  

Sub-Ceiling 

9 006 000 000 

9 006 000 000  

of which under Flexibility 
Instruments 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(a)) 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point 
(c)) 

Margin 

131 000 694 

4 588 100  

135 588 794  

Pensions & European Schools 

2 812 624 762 

2 812 624 762 

2 812 624 762  

2 812 624 762  

11 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Pensions 

2 565 464 000 

2 565 464 000 

European Schools 

247 160 762 

247 160 762 

2 565 464 000  

2 565 464 000  

247 160 762  

247 160 762  

Administrative expenditure of the 
institutions 

9 137 000 694 

9 137 000 694 

4 588 100  

4 588 100  

9 141 588 794  

9 141 588 794  

European Parliament 

2 354 855 881 

2 354 855 881 

-300 000  

-300 000  

2 354 555 881  

2 354 555 881  

European Council and Council 

676 842 943 

676 842 943 

676 842 943  

676 842 943  

Commission 

4 221 445 825 

4 221 445 825 

-3 377 000  

-3 377 000  

4 218 068 825  

4 218 068 825  

Court of Justice of the European 
Union 

502 443 711 

502 443 711 

502 443 711  

502 443 711  

European Court of Auditors 

184 803 430 

184 803 430 

330 000  

330 000  

185 133 430  

185 133 430  

European Economic and Social 
Committee 

164 945 524 

164 945 524 

European Committee of the Regions 

121 878 345 

121 878 345 

European Ombudsman 

13 667 466 

13 667 466 

European Data Protection 
Supervisor 

23 921 966 

23 921 966 

164 945 524  

164 945 524  

121 878 345  

121 878 345  

13 667 466  

13 667 466  

23 921 966  

23 921 966  

European External Action Service 

872 195 603 

872 195 603 

7 935 100  

7 935 100  

880 130 703  

880 130 703  

Appropriations for headings 

Ceiling  

Of which under Flexibility 
Instrument 
of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point (a)) 

of which under Single Margin 
Instrument (Article 11(1) point (c)) 

187 780 116 
328 
185 963 000 
000 

141 681 983 
016 
170 543 000 
000 

1 635 528 875 

1 747 272 316 

-67 411 900  

-67 411 900  

187 712 704 
428  
185 963 000 
000  

141 614 571 
116  
170 543 000 
000  

1 635 528 875  

1 747 272 316  

549 442 340 

-67 411 900  

482 030 440  

Margin 

367 854 887 

30 608 289 300 

67 411 900  

367 854 887  

30 675 701 200  

Appropriations as % of GNI 

1,06% 

0,80% 

0,00% 

0,00% 

1,06% 

0,80% 

Thematic special instruments 

1 560 861 211 

1 371 395 001 

1 560 861 211  

1 371 395 001  

Solidarity and Emergency Aid 
Reserve (SEAR) 
European Globalisation Adjustment 
Fund (EGF) 

1 351 395 001 

1 351 395 001 

1 351 395 001  

1 351 395 001  

209 466 210 

20 000 000 

209 466 210  

20 000 000  

Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Total appropriations  

189 340 977 
539 

143 053 378 
017 

-67 411 900  

-67 411 900  

p.m. 

p.m. 

189 273 565 
639  

142 985 966 
117  

12