EU Agencies 2024 Budget Clearance and Performance Review

Discharge decisions

• The European Parliament approved the 2024 accounts of 31 EU decentralised agencies, confirming that money was spent correctly and that financial rules were followed.
• The decision gives each agency a discharge, meaning they can keep using the budget they spent in 2024.
• Examples of agencies that received discharge:
• European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
• European Medicines Agency (EMA)
• European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
• European Banking Authority (EBA)
• European Environment Agency (EEA)
• European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)
• European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)
• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
• European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)

Closure of accounts

• For the same 31 agencies, the Parliament also approved the closure of the 2024 accounts, a bookkeeping step that finalises the year’s financial statements.

Observations and recommendations

• Accountability & transparency – Agencies must publish budgets, contracts and performance reports promptly and keep a public register of meetings with industry to avoid conflicts of interest.
• Performance & value for money – Set measurable goals (KPIs) and report on outcomes, not just spending; a common performance framework is needed.
• Budget management – The total budget rose from €3.6 bn in 2023 to €4.1 bn in 2024; future increases must be justified and resources used efficiently.
• Procurement & contracts – Strengthen controls, improve documentation, and train staff to prevent irregularities such as non‑competitive awards or over‑payments.
• Cybersecurity – Adopt zero‑trust IT architectures, improve incident reporting, and train staff under the new 2023/2841 regulation.
• Staffing & gender balance – Reduce reliance on temporary staff, create clearer career paths, and improve gender balance in senior roles.
• Fund‑raising & self‑financing – Agencies that generate revenue from fees must keep clear records and ensure this money does not influence regulatory decisions.
• Carry‑overs & late payments – Avoid large carry‑overs and pay suppliers on time to prevent interest costs.
• Fundamental rights & rule of law – All agencies must respect EU fundamental rights and the rule of law.
• Specific agency actions – Detailed recommendations for individual agencies (e.g., ENISA’s procurement planning, Eurojust’s business‑continuity plan, EMA’s conflict‑of‑interest procedures).

Bottom line

• 31 EU agencies have been formally cleared for their 2024 budgets and their accounts closed.
• The Parliament issued comprehensive observations calling for greater transparency, stronger performance measurement, tighter procurement rules, improved cybersecurity, and more efficient use of resources.
• These decisions and observations will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series) and will guide the agencies’ work in the coming years.

Broader context

The discharge procedure is a key part of the EU’s financial oversight. It ensures that EU institutions and agencies spend public money legally, efficiently, and transparently. This process is led by the European Parliament, with input from the Court of Auditors, which checks the accounts. The discharge is not automatic—it is a formal approval that confirms the agencies managed their budgets correctly.

The 31 agencies covered by this decision are decentralised EU bodies that operate independently but under EU rules. They handle specialized tasks like disease control (ECDC), aviation safety (EASA), food safety (EFSA), and border management (Frontex). The two agencies not included (EIT and Euratom Supply Agency) may have different financial cycles or oversight rules.

The overarching resolution reflects the Parliament’s role in holding agencies accountable. It addresses systemic issues like procurement irregularities, cybersecurity risks, and staffing challenges, which are common across many EU bodies. The resolution also aligns with broader EU priorities, such as digital transformation, sustainability, and fundamental rights.

The budget increase (from €3.6 billion to €4.1 billion) highlights the growing role of these agencies in addressing EU-wide challenges, from health crises to cyber threats.

Impact on people living in the EU

The decisions and observations directly affect EU citizens in several ways:

• Safety and standards: Agencies like EASA (aviation safety), EFSA (food safety), and EMA (medicines) ensure high standards in areas that impact daily life. Their proper functioning means safer flights, food, and medicines for everyone in the EU.

• Transparency and trust: The call for public registers of meetings with industry and clearer reporting helps prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that decisions are made for public benefit, not private gain.

• Efficient use of funds: By demanding better performance measurement and budget justification, the Parliament aims to ensure that taxpayer money is used wisely, avoiding waste or misuse.

• Cybersecurity: With the rise of digital threats, the push for zero-trust IT architectures and staff training helps protect personal data and critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.

• Gender balance and fair employment: The focus on permanent positions and gender balance in senior roles promotes fairer workplaces and better representation in decision-making.

• Fundamental rights: The emphasis on rule of law and fundamental rights ensures that agencies operate within ethical and legal boundaries, protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms.

• Procurement and contracts: Stricter rules on procurement help prevent corruption and overpayment, ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purposes.