EIB Doubles Defence Financing, Expands Eligible Projects While Excluding Weapons

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced significant changes to its financing approach for defence projects, including the removal of existing limits on funding and an expanded scope of eligible projects. However, the EIB will still maintain a ban on financing weapons and ammunition.

Ahead of a key defence summit this Thursday, Nadia Calvino, EIB President, outlined plans to EU leaders in a letter, revealing that the bank’s measures are part of the European Union’s broader initiative to enhance defence financing in response to growing security concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing threat from Russia.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

As part of the new strategy, the EIB plans to propose a revision to its eligibility criteria during its March Board of Directors meeting. The adjustments aim to better define excluded activities, keeping them as minimal and precise as possible. Additionally, the bank is set to revise its operational framework to establish an annual financial and capital allocation for defence, ensuring it meets the increasing demands of the EU’s security needs while maintaining the bank’s strong financial position and ability to support other strategic priorities.

The EIB’s balance sheet totals €600 billion, and previously, the bank had targeted doubling its financing for defence projects to €2 billion by 2025, with an upper limit of €8 billion by 2027. With this new policy, the EIB will be able to fund large-scale strategic defence projects that include land border protection, military mobility, infrastructure protection, de-mining, cybersecurity, drones, and other critical technologies.

The change signals a shift in the EIB’s core public policy objectives, placing defence and security on par with other priorities like cohesion and sustainability. The new approach will allow financing for projects such as barracks, radars, helicopters, military facilities, and other infrastructure with no civilian use. However, weapons and ammunition will still be off-limits for EIB funding.

The shift in policy is also seen as a signal to investors and financial institutions, emphasizing that security and defence are now considered essential public goods. This stance contrasts with the bank’s exclusion of activities like gambling, tobacco, or pornography, sending a clear message that EU governments are prioritizing investment in national and regional security.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 22, 2025

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

Breaking news