Germany Remains EU’s Biggest Net Contributor – Paying Nearly Three Times More Than France

Brussels/Berlin, November 26, 2025 – Germany remains by far the largest net contributor to the European Union, despite its ongoing economic slowdown. According to a new analysis by the German Economic Institute (IW Cologne), Germany paid €13.1 billion more into the EU budget than it received in return last year — nearly three times as much as the second-placed country, France.

Although the amount is significantly lower than in previous years, the study confirms Germany’s long-standing role as the EU’s fiscal anchor.

---

EU Net Contributors 2024 – Germany Far Ahead

The IW report lists the following countries as the largest net payers:

• Germany: €13.1 billion
• France: €4.8 billion
• Italy: €1.6 billion
• Netherlands: €1.5 billion
• Sweden: €1.0 billion
• Austria: €854 million
• Ireland: €701 million
• Denmark: €481 million
• Finland: €309 million

Germany remains the clear No. 1 despite the recent contraction of its economy.

---

EU Net Recipients – Greece, Poland and Romania on Top

The largest net beneficiaries last year were:

• Greece: €3.5 billion
• Poland: €2.9 billion
• Romania: €2.7 billion
• Spain: €2.2 billion
• Hungary: €2.0 billion
• Bulgaria: €1.4 billion
• Slovakia: €1.4 billion
• Lithuania: €1.3 billion
• Portugal: €1.3 billion
• Czech Republic: €1.1 billion
• Croatia: €1.1 billion
• Latvia: €1.0 billion
• Belgium: €955 million
• Estonia: €610 million
• Slovenia: €515 million
• Luxembourg: €380 million
• Cyprus: €115 million
• Malta: €109 million

The data shows that EU cohesion and recovery funds continue to flow predominantly toward Eastern and Southern Europe.

---

Germany’s Declining Contribution Reflects Weak Economy

Germany’s net payments have been shrinking steadily:

• €19.7 billion in 2022
• €17.4 billion in 2023
• €13.1 billion in 2024

IW economist Samina Sultan explains:

“Germany and France are currently the EU’s problem children. Their economic crisis is reflected in the shrinking contributions to the EU budget.”

According to the IW, Germany’s net payment is likely to fall again in 2025, as the country is expected to grow below the EU average for the third consecutive year.

The European Commission forecasts zero growth for Germany after two recession years.

---

Per-Capita Burden: Germans Pay the Most

Germany also tops the EU in terms of per-capita burden:

• €157 per inhabitant
• Followed by Ireland (€130)

On the receiving end, the highest per-capita EU funds went to:

• Luxembourg: €560 (structural effect due to EU space program spending)
• Latvia: €547
• Estonia: €444
• Lithuania: €435

---

NextGenerationEU Changes the Picture – But Not the Ranking

Since the pandemic, the EU budget has been supplemented by the NextGenerationEU recovery fund.

When both pots are combined, the relative burden shifts:

• Austria, Sweden and Ireland contribute the most relative to GDP (~0.5% each).
• Germany ranks only sixth, contributing ~0.35% of GDP.
• On the recipient side, Latvia receives over 3.1% of GDP, the highest share in the EU.

---

CMB Market Interpretation

1. Germany’s shrinking net contribution is not a relief – it’s a warning.

The decline reflects weak tax revenue, low growth, and falling economic momentum.

2. Eastern Europe remains the primary beneficiary.

But Poland’s strong growth means it now receives significantly less than in previous years.

3. The EU avoids publishing this data for political reasons.

Since 2020, the Commission no longer reports net contributors/recipients to prevent political tensions — leaving think tanks like IW Cologne to fill the gap.

4. With EU budget reform approaching, pressure will rise.

Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands may push for stricter spending rules or burden-sharing adjustments.

---

Outlook for 2025–2026

• Germany’s net contribution will likely decline again due to continued stagnation.
• France’s recovery (forecast +0.7% growth) stabilizes its position.
• Spain (forecast +2.9%) will further reduce its reliance on EU funds.
• Eastern European cohesion recipients will continue to dominate net inflows.
• EU budget reform negotiations in 2026 will be politically heated.