Poland is facing a critical deadline to secure billions in European Union funding for its defense industry. Contracts must be signed by the end of May to qualify for the SAFE program, which involves agreements totaling approximately 180 billion PLN.
A Race Against the Clock
The current situation is urgent, as no contracts have been signed to date despite the looming deadline. The Polish government is reportedly in talks with other EU member states to modify the SAFE regulation and extend the timeframe for signing these agreements.
The deadlines vary based on the type of procurement. For projects involving a single supplier—primarily Polish companies—the deadline is May 30, 2026. Joint orders between multiple EU countries have a more distant deadline of June 30, 2027.
all contracts must be largely implemented by December 31, 2030, to be eligible for financing. This means most projects must be completed within a maximum of 4.5 years.
The “Readiness 2030” Strategy
These strict timelines were intentionally set by the European Commission and EU member states. The SAFE program is part of the broader “Readiness 2030” initiative, designed to rapidly increase the defense capabilities of EU nations through immediate, short-term solutions rather than decades-long procurement processes.
Yet, the scale of Poland’s request has created a practical challenge. The government is now struggling to effectively allocate such a massive sum within the restricted window, leading to current efforts to gain more time.
Bureaucratic and Political Hurdles
Two essential agreements—a loan agreement and an operational agreement—must still be signed with the European Commission. While originally expected by the end of March, bureaucratic delays and member state comments have pushed this back.
Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, the government’s plenipotentiary for SAFE, has stated that the process is in its final stages. Even if these are signed in April, the Ministry of National Defense would have only one month to finalize contracts with armaments companies.
The Presidential Veto and Alternative Proposals
A political dispute has added further complexity. President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the government’s implementing act, which has already resulted in the loss of approximately 7.1 billion PLN intended for services under the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA).
To maintain military funding, the government is utilizing existing mechanisms, such as the Fund for Support of the Armed Forces (FWSZ) managed by the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK). Opponents and the presidential camp have described this approach as bypassing the law and the veto.
On March 10, the Presidential Palace presented an alternative called “Polish SAFE 0%.” This plan suggested creating a Polish Defense Investment Fund (PFIO), managed by BGK and funded via the National Bank of Poland (NBP) without depleting reserves.
Marshal of the Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty declined to proceed with the presidential project. This decision followed analyses by the Legislative Office and the Office of Expertise and Impact Assessment, which raised concerns regarding EU law and the NBP’s statute.
What May Happen Next
The military’s ability to secure funds may depend on the swift conclusion of procedures with the European Commission. If successful, Poland could receive a 15% advance, amounting to roughly 28 billion PLN, in April.
Such a development would likely lead to a surge of contract signings in May. Whether the full amount of funding can be utilized within the strict EU deadlines remains to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for contracts with single suppliers under SAFE?
The deadline for contracts with a single supplier, which primarily includes Polish firms, is May 30, 2026.
How much money was lost due to the presidential veto?
The veto resulted in the loss of approximately 7.1 billion PLN in EU funds intended for services under the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA).
What was the “Polish SAFE 0%” proposal?
It was a presidential project proposing the creation of a Polish Defense Investment Fund (PFIO) managed by BGK, which would be funded through the National Bank of Poland (NBP) rather than the EU.
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