Financial assistance to EU Member States

EU Fact Sheets 09-07-2026

This fact sheet explains how the EU provides financial assistance to Member States facing serious economic or financial difficulties, with the main goal being to preserve financial stability in the EU and the euro area. It describes the framework’s legal basis, objectives and main mechanisms created in response to crises, such as the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). It also explains how these mechanisms fit within EU economic governance and outlines Parliament’s role in oversight, transparency and accountability.