The Commission has issued today a positive preliminary assessment of Greece's request for €3.13 billion under NextGenerationEU , the centrepiece of Europe's recovery efforts to build a greener, more digital, and competitive Union.
This payment marks the fifth instalment in Greece's recovery and resilience plan . The Commission's preliminary assessment confirms that Greece has met the required milestones and targets for this payment, financed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) of NextGenerationEU.
This request follows 14 reforms, such as speeding up justice, improving VAT refunds, enhancing the effectiveness of public procurement, expanding broadband connection, improving waste and water management, and increasing mental healthcare facilities. It also includes 17 investments in affordable and energy efficient housing, electricity networks, urban regeneration, green industry sites, reforestation and firefighting, and wastewater projects.
Flagship measures in this payment request include:
- Upgrading Greece's electricity network: investments will strengthen the grid, boost substation capacity for more renewable energy, reduce congestion, and support clean energy investment, fostering a sustainable and resilient system.
- Simplifying and digitalising the public sector: key measures include expanding e-services for driver's license renewal, court decisions, digital signatures, and document circulation, along with digitising public sector archives, and a unified IT platform for tax services. Additionally, judicial reforms will streamline the process by consolidating smaller-claim courts into existing first-instance courts.
Next steps
The Commission has sent its preliminary assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee , which has four weeks to provide its opinion. If positive, the Commission will adopt a payment decision for the €3.13 billion disbursement to Greece.
Background
