Italy Secures €14.9 Billion Loan to Boost European Defence

Council Implementing Decision – 26 January 2026 (COM 2026/58 final)
Decision number: 2026/0035 (NLE)

Purpose
The Council decides to give Italy financial assistance under the “Security Action for Europe” (SAFE) programme, specifically the Reinforcement of the European Defence Industry Instrument, which is part of Regulation (EU) 2025/1106.

Background

1. The Commission invited EU member states to express interest in SAFE loans. By 29 August 2025, 19 states had shown interest.
2. On 9 September 2025 the Commission announced tentative loan amounts for each interested state.
3. On 30 November 2025 Italy submitted a request for a SAFE loan together with a defence‑industry investment plan.
4. The Commission reviewed the request and found that it meets all conditions of Regulation (EU) 2025/1106, including:

• compliance with procurement rules (Article 16)
• use of common or single procurement for defence products
• measures to speed up the defence industry’s adaptation to structural changes and improve interoperability.

5. The Commission also considered Italy’s financial needs and the requests of other states, applying the principles of equality, solidarity, proportionality and transparency.

Decision

• Italy’s request is approved.
• The Union will provide Italy with a loan of up to €14 900 000 000 (14.9 billion euros).
• The Commission will make the loan available to Italy.

Other notes

• The decision does not affect any other EU procedures or regulations.
• It is addressed to the Italian Republic.

Signatories

• For the Council, the President.

Key references

• Regulation (EU) 2025/1106 (SAFE)
• Regulation (EU) 2024/1263 (economic policy coordination)
• Regulation (EU) 2024/2509 (financial rules for the EU budget)
• Regulation (EU) 2020/2092 (conditionality for the EU budget)