To absorp the financial consequences of the war for EU member states the EU has responded by taking various measures.

Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE)

The CARE Regulation (April 2022) allows the member states to redirect unspent EU resources in the 2014-2020 cohesion funds (ERDF, ESF and FEAD) to meet migration challenges.

In 2022, the €10 billion in recovery assistance (REACT-EU) could also be applied to address migration challenges and the pre-financing member states can receive from REACT-EU resources was increased by €3.4 billion in total.

The FAST-CARE Regulation (October 2022) offers member states greater flexibility in cohesion policy, in part by increasing pre-financing by €3.5 billion.

The 2014-2020 period will soon be formally closed with the final accounts for these funds.

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Temporary relaxation of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP)

Until 2024 EU budget rules were more flexible. The member states’ budget deficits and public debt could exceed the SGP’s reference values (3% and 60% respectively). The new European budget rules came into force at the end of April 2024 and the customary standards apply again.

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Temporary crisis framework for state aid measures

To prevent unfair competition, state aid may not generally be awarded to enterprises in the EU.

To mitigate the economic impact of the war and assist badly affected businesses and sectors, the Commission presented a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures on 23 March 2022. The temporary framework has been replaced on 9 March 2023 with the temporary crisis and transition framework. The framework will end on 31 December 2025, after several aid measures for specific sectors were terminated in 2024. The Commission publishes regular overviews of measures that have been approved under the temporary framework.

As far as we are aware, the Netherlands has applied 8 times for state aid decisions as at May 2025, involving a total amount of €3.5 billion. These applications include measures to support renewable heat projects, greenhouse horticulture sector, and an aid scheme for energy-intensive companies. The Commission also approved a Dutch scheme costing up to €406.4 million to support the filling of the Bergermeer gas storage facility. On 25 June 2025, the European Commission adopted the Clean Industry Deal (CISAF) state aid framework. It replaces the Temporary crisis framework for state aid measures. Current schemes under the Temporary crisis framework will remain in force until the end dates set for them.

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