Brussels, 23 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Germany and four other European Union countries have received several billion euros in EU loans and grants, the European Commission announced on Monday.

The money comes from the bloc's Covid-19 recovery fund which was created in 2021 to deal with the economic fallout from the pandemic.

Germany received €13.5 billion ($14.0 billion) after implementing reforms in climate and energy policy as well as digitalization, the commission said.

This includes the further development of a national hydrogen strategy and the promotion of clean mobility.

So far, Germany had received €19.75 billion to be used for the digitalization of the public administration and more climate-friendly transport like the promotion of electric vehicles.

Germany can access a total of €30.3 billion from the fund.

The Czech Republic, Italy, Romania and Portugal also received a total of around €50 billion in payments from the fund.

In order to receive the aid, EU states must submit a plan on digital and sustainable investment and reform projects. Funding is performance-based and only disbursed once set milestones for the implementation of the reforms have been achieved.

The funds are financed through debt, which is to be repaid jointly by 2058.

MIA file photo