# Poland secures EU health, defence, and recovery funding > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/poland-eu-funding-for-health-and-defence-projects > Updated: 2026-08-20T08:14:37.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 5. In late July 2026, Poland secured significant EU funding for medical innovation and defence. On 24 July, the EU granted over €4 million for two health initiatives: a €2.27 million cross-border project to modernise laparoscopic surgery at the University Clinical Hospital in Rzeszów and the Lviv Regional Hospital for Veterans, and a €2 million THRIVE programme grant to the Medical University of Łódź. On 25 July, Poland was named the largest beneficiary of the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund, with permission to draw up to €43.734 billion. By 10 August, the European Commission approved a €7.9 billion disbursement from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (KPO), part of a total €54.72 billion package for energy, transport, healthcare, and digitalization. Concurrently, Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski indicated intentions to negotiate for unused portions of the SAFE program’s first tranche, which could exceed €10 billion due to other member states failing to meet EU, EEA, or Ukrainian component requirements. Poland aims to direct 89% of these defence funds into its domestic industry. As of mid-August, the Polish banking sector has increased its engagement with the security industry. According to the Warsaw Institute of Banking, approximately 80% of the sector by asset share is involved in financing security and defence-related ventures. Furthermore, Poland is projected to spend 1.9 trillion PLN on defence between 2025 and 2035. This long-term budget includes a shift toward rising personnel costs and investments in combating hybrid threats and strategic railway infrastructure. ## Claims - Polish Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski stated that Poland intends to apply for unused funds from the EU's SAFE program. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The SAFE program is a 150 billion euro instrument providing low-interest loans for defense investments, such as anti-missile defense, drones, and cybersecurity. (corroborated by 3 sources) - To be eligible for SAFE loans, at least 65% of a project's value must be contracted with companies from the EU, the European Economic Area, or Ukraine. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The European Commission approved Poland's fifth request for 7.9 billion euros from the National Recovery Plan (KPO). (corroborated by 2 sources) - The total value of funds allocated to Poland under the KPO is 54.72 billion euros, consisting of 25.28 billion euros in grants and 29.44 billion euros in loans. (corroborated by 2 sources) - At least several billion euros, potentially exceeding 10 billion euros, remain unused in the first tranche of the SAFE program due to projects failing to meet the 65% EU/EEA/Ukraine component rule. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Potential additional SAFE funds could be used by Poland to purchase military transport aircraft or aerial refueling aircraft. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Polish government has declared that 89% of the SAFE funds will be directed toward Polish industry and the national economy. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Poland to spend 1.9 trillion PLN on defense through 2035 Poland plans to spend 1.9 trillion PLN on defense from 2025-2035, with new Ministry of National Defence regulations proposed to improve budget flexibility and address hybrid threats. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-to-spend-19-trillion-pln-on-defense-through-2035 ### 2026-08-17: Polish banking sector increases financing for defense industry Polish banks are significantly increasing investment in the defense sector, with 80% of the sector's assets involved in security-related financing, including dual-use and technology projects. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polish-banking-sector-increases-financing-for-defense-industry ### 2026-08-10: Poland secures 7.9 billion euros from EU KPO and seeks additional SAFE defense funds The European Commission approved 7.9 billion euros for Poland via the KPO. Additionally, Poland is pursuing unused EU SAFE defense funds to bolster military modernization and domestic industry. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-approves-79-billion-euro-payout-for-poland ### 2026-07-25: Poland Secures €43.7 bn as Largest Beneficiary of EU's SAFE Defense Fund Poland will receive up to €43.7 bn from the EU's SAFE defence fund, with the first €6.56 bn already paid, boosting industrial output and adding ~0.3 pp to GDP growth in 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-secures-437-bn-as-largest-beneficiary-of-eus-safe-defense-fund ### 2026-07-24: Poland secures over €4 million EU funding for two medical innovation projects Poland obtained €2.27 million for a Poland‑Ukraine surgical‑equipment project and €2 million for the Łódź‑led THRIVE EU programme, boosting medical innovation and cross‑border collaboration. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-secures-over-4-million-eu-funding-for-two-medical-innovation-projects --- Cite as: Poland secures EU health, defence, and recovery funding. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/poland-eu-funding-for-health-and-defence-projects