Europe’s transport sector urges EU Heads of State and Government to preserve EU investment in transport as the Irish Presidency unveiled its latest negotiating box for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. Political compromises must not come at the expense of transport investment as CEF could suffer from deeper cuts than for the overall budget.
Investing in transport and the completion of the TEN-T network is essential for Europe’s competitiveness and resilience. Today, European associations representing all modes of transport wrote to EU Member States to recall this message ahead of a crucial meeting of the European Council (15-16 October) where discussions on the next MFF will continue.
The Irish Presidency of the EU Council put on the table a revised budget cut by 8% compared to the initial Commission’s proposal. In this negotiation box, transport is hit harder, with the transport envelop of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) falling by 11%, from EUR 45,8 billion to EUR 40,6 billion (in 2025 prices). In such a compromise, only 2,5% of the overall budget would be devoted to transport.
Europe’s transport sector call on the European Council to restore the CEF transport envelop at least to the level initially proposed by the Commission, to ring-fence a minimum share for transport in the future National and Regional Partnership Plans, and to explicitly open the European Competitiveness Fund to transport as a complement to dedicated infrastructure funding.
For private and independent rail freight companies, CEF is a key instrument to fund transport priorities often disregarded in national budget: infrastructure of cross-border interests, missing links, and EU-wide interoperable systems such as on-board and track side ERTMS. CEF is also playing a leading role in deploying key freight parameters (740m trains, 22,5 axle load) and adapting the rail network to accommodate both civilian and military needs.
ERFA Secretary General, Dr. Maria Price, concluded, “The MFF deal will show us if there is political will and commitment by the Member States towards a European and corridor vision when investing in rail infrastructure, modal shift and supply-chain resilience. We urge the European Council to keep this in mind when approaching this budget negotiation.”
Access the joint letter here.
Access the Open Letter sent on 19 February 2026 here.
Linked documents
Joint Letter to EU Heads of Government on transport funding in the MFF 2038-2034 ( 2026-10-14_Joint letter to EU Heads of Government on transport funding in the MFF 2028-34-1791990143.pdf )Press Release – Europe’s transport network must not pay the price of the MFF deal ( 2026-10-14_ Press Release - Europe Transport networks must not pay the price of the MFF deal-1791990945.pdf )
Open Letter - A competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget ( 2026-02-19_Open Letter Transport Coalition _ 190226-1771936346.pdf )
