Jean-Marc Germain· S&D

Confirmed

The Commission wants to sign a check for 16 billion euros to Hungary under the SAFE defence programme.

Omissions

• The exact figure is €16.2 billion, not €16 billion
• The allocation was made in September 2025, not a current/new proposal at the time of the speech
• The figure represents a loan allocation under the SAFE programme, which provides up to €150 billion total to EU Member States

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission - Defence Industry and SpaceSAFE will provide up to €150 billion in competitively priced, long-maturity loans to Member States; SAFE entered into force on 29 May 2025
• PrimaryEuropean Commission - Press ReleaseFirst wave of defence funding approved for eight Member States under SAFE on 15 January 2026
• SecondaryEuractivHungary in September received the third biggest loan allocation – together with France – making up about €16.2 billion
• SecondaryBalkan InsightHungary is to receive 16 billion euros from the EU's new defence fund SAFE