Yes to the revision of the Italian PNRR. This was stated by the Ecofin Council of the European Union, promoting the 67 changes that the Italian government had requested, most of which connected to improvements on the implementation. Other changes are aimed at reducing administrative obligations and mitigating unexpected factors. In addition to Italy, the positive opinion concerns the changes to the PNRR of Belgium, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Malta, Croatia and Slovenia.
The new works that will be financed
As part of the technical revision, in addition to the changes for surviving objective circumstances and formal corrections, investments for the development of the circular economy of waste have been implemented and to encourage the purchase of low environmental impact cars for a total amount equal to 1.2 billion euro. As the note from Palazzo Chigi explains,
The next few days will be of particular importance for the implementation of the PNRR, with the control room of June 24 to verify the achievement of the forty objectives of the eighth installment, with the planning of the technical tables on the occasion of the visit of the European Commission and with the payment of the seventh installment, which will allow Italy to confirm the European primacy in the advancement of the plan and, in terms of performance, to achieve 54% of the objectives planned, more 18% compared to 36% of the European average.
Italy also asked for the inclusion of two new measures on sustainable mobility, while the total value of the plan to 194.4 billion euros remains confirmed.
Italy first in Europe by advancement of the PNRR
Satisfaction was expressed by the Minister for European Affairs, PNRR and Cohesion Policies, Tommaso Foti:
With the imminent payment of the seventh installment by the EU Commission, Italy will confirm the European primacy in the advancement of the PNRR, with 140 billion euros already received, equal to 72 % of the total equipment – a figure of 24 % compared to the EU average (48 %).
Even in terms of performance, the country has achieved the 54% of the objectives scheduled, against a European average of 36%. As part of the approved review, in addition to the technical and formal adjustments, strategic investments have been strengthened, in particular with 1.2 billion euros intended for the development of the circular economy in the waste sector and incentives for the purchase of low environmental impact vehicles.
The minister then highlighted the physical progress of the plan, specifying that:
Out of about 296 thousand projects financed, 135 thousand are concluded, over 25 thousand are being completed and more than 115 thousand are underway. Compared to the last half -yearly report to Parliament, we record an increase of 26 thousand projects, with resources committed to 14.4 billion euros and an expense that exceeds 70.
Finally, Foti said that, in the year that separates from the conclusion of the PNRR, the Meloni government will be fully committed to enhancing every euro still available, adopting more effective tools to support any form of productive investment, with the aim of relaunching the national economy.
The EU warns on the expiry of August 2026
So far they have been paid 317 billion Euro to the Member States for the PNRR, but the EU warns that further progress is needed, since the time available is limited. The legal deadline requires the achievement of all stages and objectives by the end of August 2026which means that the countries (including Italy) have just over a year to present all the requests for payment still pending, accompanied by the relative tests.
For this reason, the European Union underlines the need, where appropriate, to proceed with the review of the plans, to simplify them where possible and to take adequate measures to prepare for any losses related to payment requests. Just as Italy did.
