EU Budget Commissioner-Designate Urges Swift Action on New EU-Wide Taxes

Piotr Serafin, Poland’s Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration, called for urgent action on new EU-wide taxes to support the Union’s long-term budget for 2028-2034. During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Serafin stressed that the EU must prioritize developing new own resources (taxes) by early 2025, warning that progress thus far has been too slow and time is running out.

New Taxes Could Raise €36 Billion by 2028
Serafin highlighted that introducing EU-wide taxes on carbon emissions and large multinationals could generate approximately €36 billion annually from 2028 onward. These new revenue streams are vital to ensuring a larger and more sustainable EU budget, as current contributions from member states and existing duties like customs tariffs and VAT-based contributions may not be enough to meet the Union’s growing financial needs.

Focus on Efficient and Flexible Budget Programs
The Polish commissioner-designate also emphasized the need for a more efficient and focused EU budget. He proposed that the next long-term budget should include fewer, more targeted programs, with a clear link between reforms and investments tailored to each member state’s needs. This streamlined approach would aim to maximize the impact of EU funds while simplifying access and cutting down bureaucratic hurdles. Serafin believes that spending more money at the EU level for new priorities, such as defense and competitiveness, could ultimately be more cost-effective than national-level spending.

Tackling Fraud and Strengthening Oversight
In addition to his budgetary duties, Serafin will also oversee efforts to combat fraud and organized crime within the EU. He committed to strengthening cooperation between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to quickly recover misused EU funds. The goal is to redirect revenues that would otherwise be lost to fraudsters toward solving the bloc’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and security.

The Path Forward: Budget Negotiations and Challenges
While the EU’s negotiations on the next long-term budget won’t begin until the summer of 2025, Serafin faces pressure from EU capitals and regions to avoid proposals that would centralize all funding into a single national pot. Serafin’s vision for the next budget is one that balances ambition with simplicity, ensuring the EU remains financially resilient in addressing its diverse goals, from green transition to defense.

The new EU Commission will likely receive approval from the European Parliament by the end of November, with a mandate expected to begin in early December.