Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
1.2. Contact organisation unit
ESTAT Unit D1: Excessive deficit procedure, methodology and GFS
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
15 December 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
15 December 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
15 December 2025
3.1. Data description
Annual data on the structure of general government gross debt - Maastricht debt (ESA table 28A) is provided according to the European System of Accounts ESA 2010 Transmission Programme (Regulation (EU) No 549/2013, as amended by Regulation (EU) No 2023/734) and covers all EU Member States.
The majority of the 2330 collected data series are provided on a voluntary basis, but 36 series are to be provided on a compulsory basis (subject to derogations provided for in Commission implementing decision 2014/403).
The data is structured into the following data sets:
General government gross debt by subsector, by initial (original) maturity, by financial instrument and by sector of debt holder (gov_10dd_ggd): Containing data for general government and the subsectors by financial instrument, original maturity and counterpart sector. A breakdown for gross debt at variable interest is also included. A few series on transactions rather than balance sheets complement this collection.
General government gross debt by currency of issuance (denomination) (gov_10dd_dcur): Containing data for general government and central government by currency denomination. It also includes the few series on transactions by currency denomination.
Remaining maturity and average remaining maturity of debt (gov_10dd_rmd): The dataset contains data for general government and central government gross debt broken down by remaining maturity. Data for general government gross debt at variable interest by remaining maturity are also included here. The average remaining maturity of general government and central government gross debt is a part of this collection.
Apparent cost of the debt (gov_10dd_acd): This may be defined as the interest rate applicable to the total Maastricht debt (AF.2, AF.3, and AF.4). It is a rate published on the basis of data supplied by compilers for general government and central government.
Government guarantees (contingent liabilities) (gov_10dd_guar): Containing data for general government and central government on guarantees broken down by counterpart sector. Guarantees consist of on-off and standardised guarantees. Standardised guarantees reported within total guarantee amounts are guarantees that are usually issued in large numbers and for fairly small amounts, with similar features, for example mortgage loan guarantees, student loan guarantees etc. An estimate for expected loss can be made for standardised guarantees - this is expensed when the standardised guarantees are granted. The stock of guarantees are contingent liabilities and they are not part of general government gross debt.
3.2. Classification system
The definitions of financial instruments and sectors/subsectors are aligned with ESA 2010 principles (chapters 2, 5, 7 and 20). The definition of Maastricht debt is consistent with the one laid down in Regulation 479/2009 as amended.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Data covers the general government sector (S.13) as defined in ESA 2010 paragraph 2.111, as well as its subsectors: central government (S.1311), state government (where applicable, S.1312), local government (S.1313) and social security funds (where applicable, S.1314).
Selected indicators (contingent liabilities - guarantees), gross debt by remaining maturity and average remaining maturity of gross debt, apparent cost of debt, as well as debt by currency denomination) are collected solely for general government and central government.
Counterpart (sub)sector breakdowns are available for gross debt by instrument and original (initial) maturity as well as guarantees (which are contingent liabilities):
S.11 non-financial corporations
S.12 financial corporations
S.121 central bank – only for selected items indicated below
S.122 + S.123 deposit-taking corporations except the central bank and money market funds – only collected for selected items indicated below
S.124 + S.125 + S.126 + S.127 + S.128 + S.129 other financial corporations – only collected for selected items indicated below
S.1311 central government
S.1312 state government
S.1313 local government
S.1314 social security funds
S.14 + S.15 households and NPISHs
S.11 + S.14 + S.15 non-financial corporations, households and NPISHs
S.2 rest of the world
S.1 + S.2 total.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The Maastricht definition of debt is total gross debt at nominal (face) value outstanding at the end of the year and consolidated between and within the sectors of general government. General government gross debt comprises outstanding stocks of liabilities in the financial instruments currency and deposits (AF.2), debt securities (AF.3) and loans (AF.4) at the end of the reference period. This definition is in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 of 25 May 2009 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Additionally, some indicators on transactions in general government Maastricht debt liabilities are collected. These are reported at market valuations.
General government gross debt is a key indicator of the government sector's financial position. Eurostat receives information on the structure of government debt with ESA table 28A. The collected data allow for country comparisons and give some indication about the evolution of the components of the government debt over time.
The financial instruments comprising general government gross debt are:
AF.2 currency and deposits
AF.21 currency
AF.22 transferrable deposits
AF.29 other deposits
AF.3 debt securities
AF.31 short-term debt securities, shown in this collection as AF.3 with original maturity of less or equal to 1 year.
AF.32 long-term debt securities, shown in this collection as AF.3 with original maturity of more than 1 year.
part of AF.32 long term debt securities, of which zero-coupon bonds
AF.4 loans
AF.41 short-term loans, shown in this collection as AF.4 with original maturity of less or equal to 1 year.
AF.42 long-term loans, shown in this collection as AF.4 with original maturity of more than 1 year.
The following maturity breakdowns are collected for original and remaining maturity:
— Total
— < 1 (incl.) year
— 1-5 (incl.) years
— 5-10 (incl.) years
— 10-30 (excl.) years
— > 30 (incl.) years
— > 1 year.
As regards currency denomination, the following breakdowns are collected:
national currency
all foreign currencies
euro
euro, when euro is not the national currency
US dollar
Japanese yen
Swiss franc
British pound sterling
other foreign currencies.
Compulsory data to be transmitted with ESA table 28A include:
GD S.13 vis-à-vis S.1+S.2 for maturities <1 year (incl.) and >1 year
AF.4 S.13 vis-à-vis S.121
GD S.13 at variable interest for maturity >1 year
total (where not specified) remaining maturity:
GD S.13 vis-à-vis S.1+S.2 for maturities <1 year (incl.) and 1-5 year (incl.)
GD S.13 at variable interest for maturities 1-5 year (incl.) and > 1 year
GD S.13 average remaining maturity in years and months
GD S.13 (after swaps) for government debt denominated in national currency, euro, foreign currency
AF.32 S.13, of which zero-coupon bonds
F.22+F.3+F.4 S.13 at market value, denominated in national currency, euro, foreign currency
F.2+F.3+F.4 S.13 at market value, > 1 year, total original maturity
F.4 S.13 at market value vis-à-vis S.121, original maturity
3.5. Statistical unit
Institutional units and groupings of units as defined in ESA 2010.
3.6. Statistical population
General Government sector (S.13) and its subsectors..
3.7. Reference area
EU Member States.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The lengths of series vary according to country and indicator. Compulsory data shall be reported for the previous four reference years. Voluntary and compulsory data may be reported from 1995 onwards.
3.9. Base period
Not available.
Data is measured in million of national currency units, million euro, and as a percentage of GDP.
For euro area countries, for reference periods prior to accession of the country to the euro area, data in national currency are expressed in euro-fixed, that is the former national currency divided by the irrevocable exchange rate.
GDP is gross domestic product at current market prices, as defined in ESA 2010 and reflects the GDP supplied by EU Member States latest EDP Notification.
For remaining maturity of debt, the average remaining maturity is additionally presented (in years of remaining maturity).
For apparent cost of debt, the data is presented as a ratio (accrued interest expenditure as a percentage of the average debt over the year).
The reference period is the end of the previous four calendar years, and, on a voluntary basis, the end of the calendar years from 1995.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
National accounts are compiled in accordance with the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) adopted in the form of aRegulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/734 with the valuation based on Regulation (EU) No 479/2009.
Annual data on the structure of general government gross debt - Maastricht debt (ESA table 28A) is collected in accordance with the ESA 2010 Regulation transmission programme.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not available.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
The additivity and plausibility of the data provided is verified prior to data validation, as is the consistency with related data sets (EDP tables 1 and 3 as published in datasets gov_10dd_edpt1 and gov_10dd_edpt3, ESA table 28 as published in dataset gov_10q_ggdebt, ESA table 27 as published in datasets gov_10q_ggfa and gov_10q_ggfa).
Punctuality and completeness are being monitored.
The ESA 2010 transmission programme requires consistency of the structure of government data with the data reported under Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 (EDP data), which also implies consistency with the aggregates transmitted and published for quarterly general government gross debt.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Published data are comparable and consistent for all countries.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Coverage depends on countries.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Not available.
13.2. Sampling error
Not available.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not available.
14.1. Timeliness
Compulsory data shall be transmitted by t+100 days and t+283 days after the reference period. Voluntary data shall be transmitted by t+132 days and t+283 days after the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
Punctuality of data is being monitored.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data are generally comparable across countries.
Foreign currency breakdown: hedged foreign currency amounts to national currency are reported under domestic currency. A small number of countries may report the stock of foreign currency debt at nominal value, implying a distortion in the shares of domestic and foreign currency.
The coverage of guarantees may also vary between countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data are fully comparable over time.
For all contingent liabilities, coverage may be expanding over time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
National data may be available from official national sources. Some variables can be cross-checked with other tables submitted under the ESA 2010 transmission programme but subject to timing differences in the reporting.
Consistency with quarterly general government gross debt and EDP data is assured.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Full coherence.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
To further specify the general Eurostat revision policy, the following revision policy has been established for government finance statistics.
Revision policy is set at the level of national authorities. In general, the data are revised for the previous years according to change from preliminary to half-finalised and final data sources, due to changes in the methodology or methods of data compilation, correction of errors or in case of major and benchmark revisions. Revisions are accepted at any time and following validation, data is the republished for the country
Each new main publication covers the four previous years. Some countries may send additional years (revised).
17.2. Data revision - practice
For all GFS data, Eurostat accepts revisions at any time. Major changes in methodology may occur as a result of EU legislation and therefore announced in the Official Journal. However, some changes may be implemented beforehand on the basis of gentlemen's agreements or Eurostat decisions (following a consultation procedure with Member States).
All reported errors (once validated) result in corrections of the disseminated data.
Reported errors are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated. Whenever new data are provided and validated, the already disseminated data are updated.
While the revision calendar for government finance statistics is described by the scheduled releases indicated on the Eurostat website, revisions can occur at any time.
Major revisions are documented internally and described in metadata and data releases in broad terms.
18.1. Source data
Data are transmitted by compilers of GFS statistics in National Statistical Offices or other national authorities. Source data of aggregate indicators are mainly from government administrative records.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Biannual.
18.3. Data collection
The data are collected on the basis of the ESA 2010 transmission programme, ESA table 28A General government gross debt (Maastricht debt) – structure, annual.
Once data is compiled by national statistical authorities, it is transmitted in the reporting format via eDAMIS to Eurostat.
A large part of the data (2330 series) is collected on voluntary basis, while 36 series are collected on a compulsory basis.
18.4. Data validation
Data are checked for consistency within and between tables. Cross-checking with general government gross data provided in the context of Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP), as well as ESA table 28 quarterly general government gross debt and ESA table 27 general government financial transactions and financial balance sheets is also undertaken. A number of further coherence checks are undertaken as well.
18.5. Data compilation
Sector and instrument breakdowns are in accordance with ESA 2010. Valuation is at nominal (face) value for stocks. Transactions are reported at market value.
For stocks, foreign currency debt is converted into national currency using end-year market exchange rates.
Ratios as a percentage of GDP are based on annual GDP data transmitted to Eurostat in the context of the latest EDP Notification.
European aggregates are based on the sum of the individual country data.
For stock series transmitted in national currencies other than euro, the data are converted by Eurostat into euro using end-year exchange rates. For transaction series transmitted in national currencies other than euro, the data are converted by Eurostat into euro using average exchange rates
For euro area countries, data in million of national currency for the period preceding the accession to the euro area is converted using euro-fixed exchange rates.
18.6. Adjustment
Not available.
The number of countries shown for each breakdown of gross debt as well as guarantees varies.
Breakdown by denomination in national and foreign currency: Denominated in national currency means issued in national currency as well as issued in foreign currency and hedged (using financial derivatives) to national currency. A small number of countries may report the stock of foreign currency debt at nominal value, implying a small distortion in the shares of domestic and foreign currency.
The coverage of guarantees may still vary across countries and have an expanding coverage over time. Guarantees consist of on-off and standardised guarantees. Standardised guarantees reported within total guarantee amounts are guarantees that are usually issued in large numbers and for fairly small amounts, with similar features, for example mortgage loan guarantees, student loan guarantees etc. An estimate for expected loss can be made for standardised guarantees - this is expensed when the standardised guarantees are granted. The reporting by counterpart institutional sector is currently not harmonised between reporting countries for standardised guarantees i.e. some countries indicate the sector of the borrower (beneficiary of government policy) and some the sector of the lender (S.12 financial institutions).
Country notes
Country
Explanatory country footnotes
Denmark
The coverage of data relating to the remaining maturity of central government gross debt is limited to debt securities and deposits. The negative stocks in AF.32 held by S.1313 are due to a repurchase agreement (repo) of a governmental body, where the unit receive government bonds as part of the repo and sell those government bonds on the secondary market.
Germany
Only asset guarantees provided to publicly controlled monetary financial institutions are included under guarantees given by government units on non-government borrowing to financial corporations (S.12) sector, see also Destatis website. Remaining maturity breakdowns and average remaining maturity of debt are estimated on the basis of available data.
Greece
The coverage of data relating to the average remaining maturity of debt, excludes extra-budgetary units of central government. Thus the coverage of central government data for this indicator is limited to S.1311.1, the budgetary central government
Cyprus
The information on holders of debt securities reflects place of issuance.
Poland
Transactions in foreign currency debt at market value are included in the figure for national currency due to the non-availability of data.
Annual data on the structure of general government gross debt - Maastricht debt (ESA table 28A) is provided according to the European System of Accounts ESA 2010 Transmission Programme (Regulation (EU) No 549/2013, as amended by Regulation (EU) No 2023/734) and covers all EU Member States.
The majority of the 2330 collected data series are provided on a voluntary basis, but 36 series are to be provided on a compulsory basis (subject to derogations provided for in Commission implementing decision 2014/403).
The data is structured into the following data sets:
General government gross debt by subsector, by initial (original) maturity, by financial instrument and by sector of debt holder (gov_10dd_ggd): Containing data for general government and the subsectors by financial instrument, original maturity and counterpart sector. A breakdown for gross debt at variable interest is also included. A few series on transactions rather than balance sheets complement this collection.
General government gross debt by currency of issuance (denomination) (gov_10dd_dcur): Containing data for general government and central government by currency denomination. It also includes the few series on transactions by currency denomination.
Remaining maturity and average remaining maturity of debt (gov_10dd_rmd): The dataset contains data for general government and central government gross debt broken down by remaining maturity. Data for general government gross debt at variable interest by remaining maturity are also included here. The average remaining maturity of general government and central government gross debt is a part of this collection.
Apparent cost of the debt (gov_10dd_acd): This may be defined as the interest rate applicable to the total Maastricht debt (AF.2, AF.3, and AF.4). It is a rate published on the basis of data supplied by compilers for general government and central government.
Government guarantees (contingent liabilities) (gov_10dd_guar): Containing data for general government and central government on guarantees broken down by counterpart sector. Guarantees consist of on-off and standardised guarantees. Standardised guarantees reported within total guarantee amounts are guarantees that are usually issued in large numbers and for fairly small amounts, with similar features, for example mortgage loan guarantees, student loan guarantees etc. An estimate for expected loss can be made for standardised guarantees - this is expensed when the standardised guarantees are granted. The stock of guarantees are contingent liabilities and they are not part of general government gross debt.
15 December 2025
The Maastricht definition of debt is total gross debt at nominal (face) value outstanding at the end of the year and consolidated between and within the sectors of general government. General government gross debt comprises outstanding stocks of liabilities in the financial instruments currency and deposits (AF.2), debt securities (AF.3) and loans (AF.4) at the end of the reference period. This definition is in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 of 25 May 2009 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Additionally, some indicators on transactions in general government Maastricht debt liabilities are collected. These are reported at market valuations.
General government gross debt is a key indicator of the government sector's financial position. Eurostat receives information on the structure of government debt with ESA table 28A. The collected data allow for country comparisons and give some indication about the evolution of the components of the government debt over time.
The financial instruments comprising general government gross debt are:
AF.2 currency and deposits
AF.21 currency
AF.22 transferrable deposits
AF.29 other deposits
AF.3 debt securities
AF.31 short-term debt securities, shown in this collection as AF.3 with original maturity of less or equal to 1 year.
AF.32 long-term debt securities, shown in this collection as AF.3 with original maturity of more than 1 year.
part of AF.32 long term debt securities, of which zero-coupon bonds
AF.4 loans
AF.41 short-term loans, shown in this collection as AF.4 with original maturity of less or equal to 1 year.
AF.42 long-term loans, shown in this collection as AF.4 with original maturity of more than 1 year.
The following maturity breakdowns are collected for original and remaining maturity:
— Total
— < 1 (incl.) year
— 1-5 (incl.) years
— 5-10 (incl.) years
— 10-30 (excl.) years
— > 30 (incl.) years
— > 1 year.
As regards currency denomination, the following breakdowns are collected:
national currency
all foreign currencies
euro
euro, when euro is not the national currency
US dollar
Japanese yen
Swiss franc
British pound sterling
other foreign currencies.
Compulsory data to be transmitted with ESA table 28A include:
GD S.13 vis-à-vis S.1+S.2 for maturities <1 year (incl.) and >1 year
AF.4 S.13 vis-à-vis S.121
GD S.13 at variable interest for maturity >1 year
total (where not specified) remaining maturity:
GD S.13 vis-à-vis S.1+S.2 for maturities <1 year (incl.) and 1-5 year (incl.)
GD S.13 at variable interest for maturities 1-5 year (incl.) and > 1 year
GD S.13 average remaining maturity in years and months
GD S.13 (after swaps) for government debt denominated in national currency, euro, foreign currency
AF.32 S.13, of which zero-coupon bonds
F.22+F.3+F.4 S.13 at market value, denominated in national currency, euro, foreign currency
F.2+F.3+F.4 S.13 at market value, > 1 year, total original maturity
F.4 S.13 at market value vis-à-vis S.121, original maturity
Institutional units and groupings of units as defined in ESA 2010.
General Government sector (S.13) and its subsectors..
EU Member States.
The reference period is the end of the previous four calendar years, and, on a voluntary basis, the end of the calendar years from 1995.
Not available.
Data is measured in million of national currency units, million euro, and as a percentage of GDP.
For euro area countries, for reference periods prior to accession of the country to the euro area, data in national currency are expressed in euro-fixed, that is the former national currency divided by the irrevocable exchange rate.
GDP is gross domestic product at current market prices, as defined in ESA 2010 and reflects the GDP supplied by EU Member States latest EDP Notification.
For remaining maturity of debt, the average remaining maturity is additionally presented (in years of remaining maturity).
For apparent cost of debt, the data is presented as a ratio (accrued interest expenditure as a percentage of the average debt over the year).
Sector and instrument breakdowns are in accordance with ESA 2010. Valuation is at nominal (face) value for stocks. Transactions are reported at market value.
For stocks, foreign currency debt is converted into national currency using end-year market exchange rates.
Ratios as a percentage of GDP are based on annual GDP data transmitted to Eurostat in the context of the latest EDP Notification.
European aggregates are based on the sum of the individual country data.
For stock series transmitted in national currencies other than euro, the data are converted by Eurostat into euro using end-year exchange rates. For transaction series transmitted in national currencies other than euro, the data are converted by Eurostat into euro using average exchange rates
For euro area countries, data in million of national currency for the period preceding the accession to the euro area is converted using euro-fixed exchange rates.
Data are transmitted by compilers of GFS statistics in National Statistical Offices or other national authorities. Source data of aggregate indicators are mainly from government administrative records.
Biannual. When revisions occur, data is updated.
Compulsory data shall be transmitted by t+100 days and t+283 days after the reference period. Voluntary data shall be transmitted by t+132 days and t+283 days after the reference period.
Data are generally comparable across countries.
Foreign currency breakdown: hedged foreign currency amounts to national currency are reported under domestic currency. A small number of countries may report the stock of foreign currency debt at nominal value, implying a distortion in the shares of domestic and foreign currency.
The coverage of guarantees may also vary between countries.
Data are fully comparable over time.
For all contingent liabilities, coverage may be expanding over time.
