ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the key features of the European Union (EU) budget. It explores the nature and amounts of financial transfers Poland received following EU accession. The chapter addresses the evolution of Poland’s contribution to the EU budget. EU activities are based on a balanced (non-deficit) budget summarized in a single document providing sufficient resources to finance its business priorities, taking into account strict budgetary discipline and nine general principles. The budget is a statement of expenditure and revenue, and an important feature of the budget is the fact that first the expenditure is planned and then the revenue collected. The value added tax payments to the budget were established in 1970, when it became apparent that the revenue from traditional sources was insufficient. Poland’s use of financial resources from the budget has translated primarily into acceleration of the economic advancement of the state, increasing its cohesion and competitiveness in the EU market for sustainable economic and social development.
