NewsStory

EU gives Italy more room to spend on defence and energy security

KROV newsroom

10 Nov 2026, 1:35 am IST1 min read

DiscussionThe story behind the news.

EU finance ministers activated a fiscal exception for Italy on November 9, giving it temporary room to exceed its agreed spending limits for eligible defence and energy security measures. Italy became the 19th EU member to use the national escape clause. [evidence-1] [evidence-3]

Italy’s parliamentary budget dossier says the government plans to use flexibility worth up to 0.6% of gross domestic product in each of 2027 and 2028. It envisages up to 0.3% of GDP a year for defence and another 0.3% for energy measures. These figures describe Italy’s spending plans. [evidence-2]

The EU’s fiscal rules allow a country to exceed its spending limits temporarily under exceptional circumstances, provided the change does not threaten the sustainability of its public finances over the medium term. The Council says Italy and Greece have been allowed to include additional measures to strengthen energy security. [evidence-1]

Sources and credits

Credit: Council of the European Union, Italian Parliament and ANSA

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