Pot of RRF money for CEE is still high

CEE countries have already received EUR 44 billion from the EUs Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) through grants and loans, including pre-financing payments. EUR 10 billion is awaiting disbursement, and another EUR 63 billion could still be requested if milestones are met before the end of 2026. So far, Croatia has been the most disciplined in meeting its milestones, securing disbursement of 64% of allocated grants, and has already submitted a request for the 6th payment. Slovakia follows with the disbursement of 54% of available grants and has submitted a request for the 5th payment. Unlike other CEE countries, Slovakia has not requested any loans in its Recovery and Resilience Plan. RRF loans have become a strong backbone of Polands financing, with EUR 13.5 billion (39% of its envelope) already drawn and a request for another EUR 2.1 billion already submitted. Romania is still struggling to get the 3rd payment. Any material progress in meeting milestones and disbursement of these funds would definitely help Romania ease the pressure on financing costs. Hungary has not utilized the potential of the RRF grant and loan scheme as it has not met preconditions. Hungary has received only small volumes that were part of the pre-financing of the REPowerEU program and thus 90% of the envelope (equal to EUR 9.5bn) will be unused.