In 2025, the European Investment Bank Group provided a record €13 billion in long-term financing to France, making it the largest beneficiary of EIB Group support for the second consecutive year. Of this total, €10.6 billion was delivered by the European Investment Bank and €2.4 billion by the European Investment Fund, reflecting strong backing for both public institutions and private sector companies across the country.
A major share of the financing was directed toward climate action and environmental sustainability, with €8 billion allocated to projects supporting the energy transition, water management, sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. Energy security was a central focus, with €4.5 billion invested in electricity grids, renewable energy, nuclear fuel supply, cross-border interconnections and low-carbon industrial processes, reinforcing France’s role in Europe’s green transition.
Innovation and competitiveness also featured prominently, accounting for €4 billion in financing. Investments supported research and development in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, semiconductors, decarbonisation solutions and healthcare innovation. Through its TechEU programme, the EIB Group helped strengthen Europe’s strategic value chains while supporting both established industrial leaders and fast-growing innovative companies.
For the first time at this scale, the EIB Group significantly expanded its engagement in security and defence in France, providing €670 million in financing. This included support for defence research and development, cybersecurity, satellite communications and the defence industrial base, contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy amid a challenging geopolitical environment.
The EIB Group also invested heavily in social and urban infrastructure, channeling billions of euros to education, healthcare, housing, transport and energy-efficient public buildings. These investments aim to improve daily life for citizens by modernising schools and hospitals, expanding affordable housing, upgrading public transport systems and supporting sustainable urban development across regions.
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-caps remained a cornerstone of EIB Group activity in France. Nearly €4 billion was mobilised through loans, guarantees, equity investments and securitisation, helping finance close to 60,000 businesses and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the economy.
In parallel, advisory services played an important role, with the EIB providing technical and financial expertise to public authorities, companies and financial institutions. These services helped accelerate project preparation in areas such as school energy renovations, climate resilience, agriculture, and defence-related innovation, ensuring that investments align with EU priorities and deliver long-term economic and social impact.
Overall, the €13 billion investment reflects the EIB Group’s strategic commitment to strengthening France’s climate leadership, economic resilience, innovation capacity and social cohesion, while contributing to a stronger and more autonomous Europe.
