Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia receive first pre-financing payments under SAFE in the EU; over €3.5B, 15% of allocation

Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania receive first payments under SAFE defence instrument - Defence Industry and Space

Publication date: 31 August 2026

Last week, Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia received their first pre-financing payments under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence instrument, together totaling over €3.5 billion and representing 15% of each country’s total SAFE allocation. On 26 August, Romania received €2.5 billion out of €16.7 billion, while on 28 August Bulgaria and Latvia received €489.3 million and €524.7 million respectively, out of total allocations of €3.3 billion and €3.5 billion.

In a context of heightened geopolitical tensions on the Eastern Flank, these disbursements underscore the EU’s determination to reinforce deterrence and defence where the security challenge is most acute. The pre-financing will help Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia accelerate priority defence investments, strengthen resilience, and modernise their military capabilities in line with shared European goals. SAFE is designed to enable swift, coordinated action, improve the ability of European forces to work together, and strengthen Europe’s defence industry, including through joint procurement and closer cross-border co-operation.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space said: “Today’s €2.5 billion payment to Romania under SAFE is a major milestone for European defence and a more sovereign Europe. This funding will strengthen Romania’s defence capabilities and industrial base, while contributing to Europe’s overall security. SAFE is a clear demonstration of our strong commitment to European security, and to the resilience and to defence of our Eastern Flank.”

He added: “With these first SAFE payments, we are helping Bulgaria and Latvia accelerate key defence investments while strengthening their readiness and resilience. We are acting swiftly and decisively to support Member States on the EU’s Eastern Flank. SAFE enables Member States to invest more quickly, procure more effectively through joint action, and strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base.”

These payments follow the completion of all required procedural steps and reflect the EU’s commitment to providing timely, practical support through SAFE. Further payments will follow, as agreed milestones and implementation are met.

SAFE is a €150 billion financial instrument providing loans to Member States. It primarily funds joint procurement of ammunition, missiles, air defence, and ground combat systems produced within the EU. It is part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe

Readiness 2030 plan, which aims to unlock over €800 billion in defence investment across the European Union.

The SAFE instrument is financed by EU borrowing on the financial markets. This enables competitively priced and attractively structured long-duration loans to requesting Member States. The terms of the SAFE loans benefit from the EU’s strong credit rating.

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