National escape clauses
Article 26
1. Following a request from a Member State and on a recommendation by the Commission based on its analysis, the Council may within four weeks of the Commission recommendation adopt a recommendation allowing a Member State to deviate from its net expenditure path as set by the Council where exceptional circumstances outside the control of the Member State have a major impact on the public finances of the Member State concerned, provided that such deviation does not endanger fiscal sustainability over the medium term. The Council shall specify a time limit for such deviation. 2. Following a request from the Member State concerned and on a recommendation by the Commission, the Council may extend the period during which that Member State may deviate from the net expenditure path as set by the Council, provided that the exceptional circumstances persist. An extension may be granted more than once. However, each extension shall be for an additional period of up to one year.