Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, president of Debout la France, affirms that France gives “25 billion” to Europe and receives only 15, ie “the price of the pension reform” of orders of magnitude close to reality but can we say it costs a fortune?
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“Why do we give 10 billion a year to the European Union when this is the price of the pension reform?”. Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, president of Debout la France, pleaded Monday May 9, 2025 on RTL for a dissolution of the EU. According to him, the European Union “prevents us from solving the problems of the country”. The former deputy for Essonne advances figures: “We give 25 billion, we receive 15, it costs us 10 net”. Orders of magnitude close to reality, but can we say it costs a fortune?
In 2023, France paid approximately 25 billion euros in the European Union budget. It is the second largest contribution after that of Germany. In return, France received around 15 billion euros, mainly to finance the common agricultural policy (CAP). The net contribution – which France pays without direct return – therefore amounts to around 10 billion euros. An amount that varies each year, but which remains in this order of magnitude.
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According to a study Comparative published by the European Commission and which relates to the year 2021, the year when we participated a little more due to the departure of the British, that year it cost an average of 30 euros per French.
Some 10 billion euros, relating to the annual budget of France, if we only take state expenditure it is below 2%!
To this contribution, the indirect returns must be added. France notably benefited from 40 billion euros from the post-Cavid recovery plan, funded 40% by the European common loan. These aids, in the form of donations and loans, are to be reimbursed from 2025, but on very advantageous conditions.
Finally, French companies, in exchange for compliance with European standards, have access without barriers to the single market, the largest in the world in purchasing power, with 450 million consumers.
