The CAP post-2027 in the next EU budget

Overview

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the long-term EU budget for a period of seven years. The European Commission presented its proposal for the next 2028–34 period.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027 has a central place within the EU’s next budget to deliver on the strategic orientations provided by the Vision for Agriculture and Food. A simpler, more flexible budget will improve strategic planning and better respond to EU farmers, agriculture and rural areas challenges while enabling further synergies across sectors.

Synergies in the combination of funds

Rural areas will benefit from a broader range of funding opportunities and expertise.

• Rural target: at least 10% of the resources of each NRPP outside the ring-fenced amounts will be dedicated to addressing rural areas’ specific needs and challenges. This translates into €48.7 billion available for rural areas, which could increase up to €63.7 billion through the Catalyst Europe loans, to ensure investments in rural areas.
• Successful tools like LEADER will continue to play a key role in supporting the development of rural areas.  

Competitiveness, research and innovation funding for agriculture, forestry, rural areas and food security.

• Under the next EU budget, €409 billion will be allocated to strengthen competitiveness across the EU.
• €234.3 billion for the European Competitiveness Fund and €175 billion for the next Horizon Europe, a doubling compared to the current programming period, will contribute to that objective.

Both the European Competitiveness Fund and the ‘competitiveness’ component of Pillar II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ of the next Horizon Europe will be structured along four broadly defined strategic policy windows:

1. Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation
2. Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy
3. Digital Leadership
4. Resilience and Security, Defence Industry, and Space

Horizon Europe and Competitiveness funds

• €40 billion from Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy
  • €19.7 billion Horizon Europe
  • €20.4 billion European Competitiveness Fund

Both programmes will support a seamless investment journey from research to the manufacturing and deployment of strategic technologies, products and services in Europe.

More on building synergies into the CAP

Factsheets about the CAP in the next MFF

The Commission has published a series of dedicated factsheets to explain how the next CAP and MFF will work together.

Please click on the thumbnail image to access the factsheet in the languages available on the Publications Office website.

More information 

• General publications
• 18 November 2025

Analytical Brief N°11: Better targeting of income support in the Common Agricultural Policy

Background to the CAP 2028-2034 proposal

English

(1.12 MB - PDF)

Download

What's in the CAP post-2027?

The CAP after 2027 will keep its toolbox intact, offering stability and predictability, as outlined in the Commission's proposal.

Questions and answers on the CAP post-2027 proposal

What it means for farmers

The CAP post-2027 proposal includes:

• Income support and predictability: funds for farmers’ income support are secured.
• More types of support: more possibilities and choices for farmers on how they can receive support and diversify income streams.
• Support for risk management tools: the CAP proposal foresees a set of tools to alleviate pressure and de-risk farm operations. The EU facility tool as part of the NRP fund includes a Unity Safety net that will help farmers cope with the impact of market disturbances and geo-political uncertainties.
• A better balance between rules and incentives to preserve the climate and the environment: the farm stewardship system will set rules for all farmers. In addition, incentives will be made available for actions beneficial for the environment, climate and animal welfare. Different types of farm investment support will contribute to the resilience of agriculture, food systems, forestry and rural areas, in particular climate and water resilience.

Targeted income support

• More flexibility and more options: rules have been simplified, and the use of lump sums will be strengthened, giving farmers and EU countries more flexibility and options for targeted income support in particular for young and new farmers, women, family or small farmers, and mixed farms.
• Fair distribution of funds: the new CAP proposes a more targeted approach to area-based payments, considering the unique economic conditions of specific farms and territories. Smaller farms can receive dedicated support through area-based payments and lump sums (maximum €3 000 per year). This will ensure support is directed towards those who need it most, promoting fairness and efficiency. Farmers may be able to access relief services and benefit from the help of replacement workers when they are sick, on leave, or dealing with family responsibilities.
• Measures to address redistribution of income support: this includes capping direct payments to larger farms (maximum €100 000 per year) and implementing mandatory annual degressive payments.

Simplification for farmers and EU countries

• The new CAP will rely on a single fund, replacing the current two-pillar structure, which will reduce complexity, rigidity, and overlaps, and give EU countries' authorities more flexibility and possibilities.
• Access to funding opportunities under different policies have been streamlined, making it easier for farmers to navigate and request support, and allowing them to explore synergies between different policy areas.

Synergies in the combination of funds

• The integration of the CAP into the National and Regional Partnerships Plans will help combining different sources of funds to make a difference in farming and rural communities.
• The complementarity in the use of funds, such as the European Competitiveness Fund or the EU Research Framework Programme, can support large-scale projects to achieve a greater impact in the rural economy. These synergies will help to address different challenges in areas such as: skills, care services, infrastructure, environment, climate change adaptation, energy production and bioeconomy, agri-tourism, transport and logistics.
• In addition, synergies will help to bridge the digitalisation gap. Rural areas will be able to harness the potential of digital connectivity, innovation and entrepreneurship which in turn will help them thrive and develop their resilience. Successful tools like LEADER will continue to play a key role in this respect. This will enable rural areas to benefit from a broader range of funding opportunities and expertise.

Building synergies into the CAP

The Health Agency of Lower Austria used a multi-fund approach to launch the “Healthacross initiative”, aiming ensuring equitable access to healthcare services in Lower Austria, in the areas bordering with Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary, so that resources are leveraged. The project was funded through several INTERREG programmes, as well as Next Generation EU Fund, while the construction of the MED Gmünd centre was financed with EUR 2.5 million via the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Funded under the Innovation Fund with EUR 4,3 million, the CO2-FrAMed project (PDF) will build in the Ebro River Valley (Spain) 12 stand-alone large-power photovoltaic irrigation systems that do not require back-up batteries and significantly reduce risks related to the integrity of the water distribution infrastructure.

This solution is a suitable alternative to conventional electric and diesel-based pumping systems. It brings environmental benefits in terms of CO2 emission reduction and economic benefits in terms of lower costs for farmers. Overall, the project will reduce GHG emissions compared to conventional technology by 100% and farmers will benefit from zero-carbon irrigation at a competitive price.

Agricultural markets

In addition to the CAP legal framework, several other provisions are being revised in the Common Market Organisation Regulation (CMO) to reflect changes in the agricultural sector, such as:

• Promoting healthy eating through locally sourced products via the EU school schemes, reconnecting children with farming.
• Creating a new sector for protein crops, to strengthen the value chain at regional, national, and transnational level.
• Protecting certain meat-related terms to keep high production standards as regards the natural composition of meat and meat products and helping consumers make informed choices.
• Introducing marketing standards for protein crops, beef, pork, sheep, goat meat and cheese in the future, including origin labelling.
• Improving preparedness and availability of agricultural supplies during emergencies.