The European Union has started lifting measures against Kosovo. This move unlocks more than €400 million in financial support.

The European Commission confirmed the decision. Spokesperson Anitta Hipper said the EU released €216 million in December 2025. The Commission plans to release another €205 million at the start of this year.

The EU took this step after a calm and orderly transition of local governance in northern Kosovo. The process followed the recent local elections.

The released funds allow Kosovo to sign contracts for four projects. These projects receive €34.6 million in EU support. Implementation can now begin.

At the same time, EU institutions continue to prepare the remaining €181 million under the IPA III programme. The Commission plans to approve the financing decision in spring 2026. The first projects could start in the second half of that year.

The European Commission also expects to remove all remaining measures in the coming weeks.

Jan Gert Koopman, Director for Enlargement at the Commission, said the total support exceeds €400 million. This amount includes funds already released in December.

The EU imposed the measures in 2023. It introduced them after tensions rose in northern Kosovo, where Albanian mayors took office in four Serb-majority municipalities.

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