eiginfjárframlag

Eiginfjárframlag, commonly known as "own resources" in English, refers to a system used by the European Union (EU) to generate revenue independently of national contributions from member states. Introduced to reduce reliance on voluntary contributions from member countries, this system aims to enhance the EU’s financial autonomy and sustainability.

The concept of own resources was initially proposed in the 1970s as part of efforts to reform the EU’s budgetary framework. The current system, established under the Treaty of Lisbon (2009), includes several revenue streams. The primary sources are customs duties on imports of non-EU goods, gross national income (GNI)-based contributions from member states, and value-added tax (VAT) revenues collected by member states on behalf of the EU. Additional resources may include agricultural levies and other miscellaneous revenues.

The GNI-based contributions are calculated as a percentage of each member state’s gross national income, adjusted for economic disparities. This method ensures that wealthier nations contribute more proportionally than poorer ones. The VAT component, known as the "own resource key," is derived from the VAT revenues of member states, with adjustments to prevent distortions in national VAT systems.

The introduction of own resources aims to make EU funding more predictable and less dependent on political negotiations between member states. However, debates continue over the fairness of the system, particularly regarding the distribution of burdens among member countries and the potential impact on national budgets. Critics argue that the system may still favor larger economies, while supporters highlight its role in strengthening EU financial stability and cohesion.