The result compares to a 4.68 billion-crown surplus recorded a year ago.

The intake of European Union funds rose by 17.4 billion crowns year-on-year to 44 billion in the January-March period, chiefly influenced by the concluding payments from the 2007-2013 budgetary period of the EU, the ministry said.

Adjusted for the EU funds, the budget would end up in a deficit of 5.3 billion crowns at the end of March.

Overal expenditure rose 8.7 percent while income was up 12.4 percent.

Tax income rose 8.3 percent year-on-year to 291.12 billion crowns.

Value-added tax collection increased by 9.9 percent year-on-year to 62.79 billion crowns.

The 2018 central state deficit was approved by parliament with a 50 billion crown deficit.

The central government budget is the main part of the EU country's overall public sector finances, which also include local and regional administrations, the health insurance system and various off-budget funds.