The countdown to receive the final European anti-pandemic funds, or Next Generation EU funds, in the form of direct transfers has begun. The Spanish government has just approved an amendment to the Recovery Plan—a new addendum—to receive the final €25 billion in grants between now and December 2026. This money is part of the €79.854 billion in transfers linked to the Spanish plan, which, in principle, must be implemented before 2026. After negotiations with the European Commission, the Spanish government will not only be able to slightly extend this timeframe but has also modified the list of milestones and reforms that must be completed to receive these funds. The Ministry of Economy is still finalizing the document with Brussels and expects to have it definitively finalized before the end of the year, probably next week, according to sources at the Ministry. Specifically, 160 measures have been modified, and 230 milestones and reforms remain pending before the final European funds can be received, whether as a direct transfer or a loan.

The Spanish government had repeated it on different occasions: "The recovery plan will be presented before the end of the first quarter". But March ended and the Spanish government still had not finished the plan and had not sent it to Brussels. Last week the president of the executive, Pedro Sánchez, announced that this Tuesday the council of ministers would approve the document that has to allow a €140bn injection of European aid into the Spanish economy over the next six years, but this Monday it has revealed that it will still take "a few days" to submit it to the council of ministers. A new postponement that further delays the arrival of the money.