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How much does the EU Presidency cost?
The Netherlands estimates that the total costs of its EU Presidency amount to €62.8 million.
Breakdown of the costs
€46 million is being spent on central infrastructure, organisation and events. This includes the cost of fitting out the meeting venue, audiovisual facilities, lighting and solar panels. The remaining €16.8 million is expenditure on ministerial meetings, including interpreting.
Fewer locations and lower costs than in 2004
The costs of the current Presidency are lower than when the Netherlands previously fulfilled this role in 2004. The costs then totalled €97 million, which is equivalent to some €120 million today. The decision to hold all meetings at a single location has reduced expenditure. In 2004, 27 locations across the country were used. Savings have also been achieved by holding fewer ministerial and official meetings in the Netherlands than in 2004.
Line ministries and project team
It is difficult to quantify the additional work entailed by the Presidency since Europe is part of ministries’ usual remit. This means that civil servants at all line ministries contribute to the Netherlands’ efforts in Brussels. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a special central project team numbering 30 staff to organise the Presidency.
