Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission disburses the first payment of €1.3 billion to the Netherlands.
The European Commission disbursed to the Netherlands the first payment of €1.3 billion in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). As for all Member States, payments made to the Netherlands under the RRF are performance-based and rely on the implementation by the Netherlands of the investments and reforms conveyed in its Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Why did the EU approve the Netherlands’ first payment request?
On 24 May 2024, the Netherlands presented to the EU Commission the first request for payment of €1.3 billion under the RRF, covering 25 milestones and 5 targets. These cover several reforms in the dimensions of environmental taxation, the housing market, the pension system, self-employment as well as the digital transformation of the central administration.
Reforms on aggressive tax planning and the electricity grid code are also included. The request also surrounds investments in training and career advice for individuals in the Dutch labour market, rail traffic management and research and development of quantum technologies. Digital kits for students and e-health care for people living at home are also among the investments.
On 15 July 2024, the EU Commission adopted a positive preliminary review of the Netherlands’ request for payment. The favourable view of the Economic and Financial Committee of the Council on the payment request paved the way for the EU Commission to embrace a
final decision on the distribution of the funds. The Netherlands’ overall Recovery and Resilience Plan will be funded by €5.4 billion in grants.
