POLITICO: EU plans €17.7 billion push to boost military mobility

The European Commission is set to streamline regulations and invest heavily in improving the movement of troops and military equipment across Europe, according to a Military Mobility Communication obtained by POLITICO. The plan is part of a broader military mobility package, which will be unveiled on November 19 alongside a legislative proposal.

The 15-page document stresses that “military mobility is the crucial enabler of the defence posture and capabilities that Europe urgently needs to credibly deter its adversaries and to respond to any crisis.”

At the center of the initiative is the new European Military Mobility Enhanced Response System (EMERS), a framework that would allow member states — or the Commission itself — to temporarily suspend normal transport rules during emergencies. Once activated, EMERS would give the military priority access to infrastructure, transport assets, and essential services.

The communication highlights the urgency: “Situations requiring rapid, large-scale military movement rarely come announced,” adding that without improved mobility rules, deterring an adversary remains largely “theoretical.”

The EU and NATO are seeking faster ways to move troops, weapons, ammunition, and fuel from Western Europe to potential frontlines in the east, amid concerns about Russian aggression.

Currently, the bloc’s infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are insufficient for rapid response, with some countries requiring up to 45 days’ notice to allow military equipment to cross their territory. The document notes that “significant barriers to effective military mobility in the EU persist” due to fragmented and divergent national rules.

Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas told POLITICO that Europe should emulate the Schengen open-border system for military equipment, adding: “We need to move fast. We need to move faster than what Europe is used to or is expecting.” He indicated the goal is to have core measures in place by 2030. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently warned that Russia could potentially attack a NATO member state as early as 2028–2029.

If approved, EMERS would also allow temporary exemptions from standard customs and transport regulations, including driving limits for civilian operators and faster customs procedures under a dedicated EU protocol. The system could remain active for up to one year, with Council approval required within 48 hours of its activation.

To coordinate operations, each member state will appoint a national coordinator for military transport, serving as a single point of contact for permissions, notifications, and crisis responses. Oversight will be provided by a new Military Mobility Transport Group, which will include national authorities, the European Defence Agency, and the European External Action Service.

The Communication also outlines upcoming reviews of the Rail Service Facilities Regulation and the Air Services Regulation, a 2026 evaluation of flexible use of airspace rules, and initiatives to promote dual-use airports. Other measures include the creation of a solidarity pool and a strategic lift reserve for shared use of EU and national transport assets in crises, as well as a catalogue of dual-use transport assets, a digital information system for movement authorizations, and support for an EU network of civil-defense drone testing centers.

A key part of the plan involves mapping 500 infrastructure “hotspots”—bridges, tunnels, and ports that could bottleneck military transport—and upgrading them to military standards. The plan also seeks to better link EU transport infrastructure to Ukraine, with total costs potentially reaching €100 billion.

The Commission has proposed setting aside €17.7 billion for military mobility in the EU’s next seven-year budget starting in 2027, a tenfold increase from the €1.7 billion allocated in the current budget.

The document also stresses the need to strengthen infrastructure against cyber and hybrid threats. Such dangers have grown in recent years, including a recent explosion on a key Polish railway, which authorities attributed to sabotage.

The Communication concludes: “Europe must take decisive action. While progress has been made, the EU remains shackled by fragmented approaches that undermine our ability in moving military equipment and personnel across Europe.”

By Tamilla Hasanova