The European Commission’s budgetary plans also have repercussions on Switzerland. The Brussels authority provides more money for the Horizon Europe and Erasmus+education research program. It also wants to impose a tax on large companies, which would also concern Swiss firms.
KEYSTONE
On Wednesday, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented the multi -year financial framework in Brussels for the 1920s to 2034. The commission’s proposal forecasts 2000 billion euros. The 2021-2027 budget amounts to around 1200 billion euros.
The budget for the Horizon Europe research program will be doubled, said Von Der Leyen at a press conference. It now amounts to 165 billion euros, added Stéphane Séjénéné, vice-president of the European Commission.
Since the beginning of 2025, Switzerland has been associated with Horizon Europe as a third country, which means that researchers in Switzerland can apply for common research pot funds. Questioned by the Keystone-ATS news agency, Mr. Séjourné could not say if Switzerland should increase its financial contribution accordingly.
According to the president of the Commission, it is also planned to increase funds for the Erasmus+training and mobility program. The program would now have 40.8 billion euros. Switzerland plans to join the program from 2027.
Tax for large companies
On the recipe side, Ms. von der Leyen wishes to draw from new sources. In particular, it is planned to establish a tax for companies whose annual turnover is more than 100 million euros. This tax would also be due by Swiss companies that make this threshold in European space.
The commission’s proposal will now be subject to the European Parliament and the Council. Member States must approve the budget unanimously. Negotiations between European institutions should last two years.
