16 European Union countries – including Belgium – are seeking temporary exemptions from budget stability rules to boost their military spending, the EU announced on Wednesday.
Last month, the European Commission presented a 'Defence White Paper', proposing that Member States allocate up to 1.5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over four years for military expenses without breaching budget rules governing public deficits and debt.
Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Finland have decided to request the activation of this budget exemption clause.
The EU countries aim to rearm in response to the Russian threat and potential American disengagement from Europe. They had until the end of April to declare their intentions.
According to the European Commission, 12 countries have formally requested the exemption, while four others have committed to doing so, as stated by the EU Council, which includes Member States.
Activating this clause could mobilise up to €650 billion by 2030 to rearm the continent.
Several countries, including France, Spain and Italy, have not yet shown interest, although they have pledged to increase military spending.
"We remain open to further exemption requests," the EU's Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Wednesday, as quoted in a statement.
Military spending among the EU's 27 countries has increased by more than 31% since 2021, reaching €326 billion in 2024.
"This is better, but not enough," stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in March.
