COVID-19: Council approves 87.4 billion euro in financial support for member states under SURE

Source: German presidency of the EU (German presidency) i, published on Monday, September 28 2020.

On 25 September 2020, the Council approved 87.4 billion euro of financial support to 16 member states in the form of EU loans under SURE - a temporary EU instrument to mitigate unemployment risks during the COVID-19 crisis.

The support will help the member states finance the severe increase in public expenditure incurred as of 1 February 2020 as a result of the use of national short-time work schemes and similar measures, including for self-employed persons, and some health-related measures in response to the pandemic. SURE is one of the three safety nets, worth up to 540 billion euro, that were agreed by the Eurogroup on 9 April 2020 and subsequently endorsed by the EU leaders to protect workers, businesses and sovereigns.

Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor:

SURE forms an important part of our response to the unprecedented challenges that the COVID-19 crisis has created. Member states’ considerable interest in this instrument confirms its significance and true added value for workers and companies. Millions of workers across the EU will benefit from this instrument. This is a clear signal that Europe is stronger together.

Financial support under SURE is granted to member states as follows:

  • - 
    Belgium - 7.8 billion euro
  • - 
    Bulgaria - 511 million euro
  • - 
    Croatia - 1 billion euro
  • - 
    Cyprus - 479 million euro
  • - 
    Czech Republic - 2 billion euro
  • - 
    Greece - 2.7 billion euro
  • - 
    Italy - 27.4 billion euro
  • - 
    Latvia - 193 million euro
  • - 
    Lithuania - 602 million euro
  • - 
    Malta - 244 million euro
  • - 
    Poland - 11.2 billion euro
  • - 
    Portugal - 5.9 billion euro
  • - 
    Romania - 4.1 billion euro
  • - 
    Slovakia - 631 million euro
  • - 
    Slovenia - 1.1 billion euro
  • - 
    Spain - 21.3 billion euro

Other member states can still present their requests for financial assistance. Up to 100 billion euro can be provided under this EU instrument.

SURE loans are backed by the EU budget and guarantees provided by member states according to their share in the EU’s GNI, for a total amount of 25 billion euro.

The guarantee agreements with the Commission have been finalised.