Cyprus contributed just €259 million to the European Union budget in 2023, receiving €393 million in return.

This positions the island country as a net beneficiary, reflecting broader financial imbalances across member states, according to European Commission data.

The EU budget operates on contributions and allocations among member states, with some paying more than they receive while others benefit from net inflows.

The ‘Big Four’ contributors—Germany (€33.8 billion), France (€25.8 billion), Italy (€18.8 billion), and Spain (€13.6 billion)—accounted for the largest shares of funding in 2023.

In contrast, nine countries, including Cyprus, contributed less than €1 billion. Cyprus’ €259 million contribution was among the smallest, alongside Malta (€112 million) and Estonia (€355 million).

However, the funds received by these countries also varied, with Cyprus securing €393 million, Malta €277 million, and Slovenia €952 million.

Among the largest beneficiaries, France topped the list with €16.5 billion, followed by Poland (€14.1 billion) and Germany (€14 billion).

Italy and Spain also ranked high, receiving €12.8 billion and €12.1 billion, respectively.

Net balances reveal Poland as the leading beneficiary with a surplus of €7.1 billion, followed by Romania (€5.9 billion), Belgium (€4.8 billion), Hungary (€4.4 billion), and Greece (€3.9 billion).

Meanwhile, per capita contributions ranged from €137 in Bulgaria to €688 in Luxembourg.

Among the ‘Big Four,’ Germany topped the list with €403 per person, followed by France (€378), Italy (€318), and Spain (€281).

Net contributors per capita were led by the Netherlands, where residents paid €350 more than they received, followed by Ireland (€240), Germany (€235), Denmark (€210), and Sweden (€156).