UK taxpayers could still pay more into the EU even if the organisation freezes its overall budget, it has emerged.
The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels on Thursday for crunch meetings with other European leaders that could stretch into the weekend.
The UK is convinced the state of the world economy means the EU's budget should not be allowed to rise.
But it faces an uphill battle to convince other EU countries, many of which make more out of the organisation than they put in.
David Cameron has threatened to veto any agreement unless he gets a good deal for British taxpayers.
But it is understood that could still involve them paying more.
The UK has already seen its contribution to the EU increase in recent years in part because of changes brought in after the accession of new member states.
And that increase is set to continue even if ministers secure an overall budget freeze.
The Tory-Liberal Democrat Government believes a deal with other European leaders can be done this week.
There are a number of areas within the budget where the Coalition believes cuts are possible, including in administration and a transport growth fund.
However, it is thought the French Government will push to reduce a proposed cut in the EU's controversial CAP agriculture programme.
That will also have a knock-on effect on the UK's rebate, which ministers want to protect against suggestions that it should be scrapped or reformed.
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