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report parliamentary committee draft, 22 September 2026

On the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Malta and Italy regarding the storm Harry in January 2026 and to Portugal and Spain following the storms in January and February 2026

Document BUDG-PR-796158 · (COM(2026)7001 – C100226/2026 – 2026/0284(BUD))

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Lucia Yar

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

This draft report by the Committee on Budgets concerns the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to assist Malta and Italy after storm Harry in January 2026 and Portugal and Spain after storms in January and February 2026. The Commission proposes to mobilise EUR 489 148 220 for the four countries, whose estimated direct damage exceeds the relevant EUSF thresholds. The rapporteur supports swift adoption of the decision and rapid release of the aid, and calls on the Commission to deliver the contribution with particular urgency. The report also calls for more investment in climate adaptation and prevention, better use of other Union funds, faster procedures and public communication of the EUSF's benefits.

Position. The rapporteur supports the swift adoption of the Commission proposal for a decision and the rapid release of the financial assistance as a sign of European solidarity, and calls on the Commission to deliver the contribution with particular urgency.

Key points

  1. Parliament expresses solidarity with the victims and all those affected by the storms in Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain in January and February 2026.
  2. It welcomes the decision as a tangible form of Union solidarity with the citizens and regions affected.
  3. It highlights the growing number of severe natural disasters and calls on member states and the Commission to invest more in adaptation, and says the EUSF budget or its future equivalent should be sufficiently expanded.
  4. It stresses that the EUSF is only curative and that the Union should also support prevention and mitigation policies, and calls for measures to meet the Paris Agreement commitments.
  5. It calls for preventive measures, comprehensive risk-assessment and adaptation policies in member states, attention to public health risks, and climate-resilient reconstruction and critical infrastructure.
  6. It encourages digital tools, satellite data such as Copernicus and early-warning systems, and welcomes Copernicus support to Portugal through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
  7. It insists on synergies with other Union policies and programmes, especially the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund+ and rural development programmes.
  8. It says EUSF assistance should not reduce other Union funding and recalls that member states can grant State aid under applicable Union rules.
  9. It welcomes advance payments where EUSF conditions are met and urges the Commission to explore all avenues to accelerate mobilisation while protecting the Union budget.
  10. It stresses the urgent need to release immediate financial assistance so support reaches Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain in time, and calls for reducing the time between application and financing decision and for aid to reach final recipients promptly.
  11. It underlines the need to simplify and accelerate internal procedures without undermining the institutional balance, in particular Parliament's rights as budgetary and discharge authority.
  12. It reiterates the importance of communicating the EUSF's tangible benefits to the public to increase awareness of Union tools and reinforce adherence to the European project.

Who is affected

  • Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain, which are to receive EUSF assistance for storm damage.
  • Citizens, businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, families and public authorities in the affected regions, who should receive aid promptly.
  • Member states and the Commission, which are called on to invest in adaptation and prevention and to simplify procedures.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 489 148 220 proposed for mobilisation from the EUSF.
  • Malta's estimated direct damage: EUR 132,97 million.
  • Italy's estimated direct damage: EUR 2 995,4 million.
  • Portugal's estimated direct damage: EUR 5 351,97 million.
  • Spain's estimated direct damage: EUR 4 839,53 million.
  • Malta's major natural disaster threshold: 0.6% of Gross National Income, EUR 121.55 million in 2026.
  • Portugal's major natural disaster threshold: 0.6% of Gross National Income, EUR 1 703.84 million in 2026.
  • Spain's major natural disaster threshold: EUR 3 000 million in 2011 prices, corresponding to EUR 4 037.61 million in 2026.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 25 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Motion for a european parliament resolution 31 paragraphs

on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund

(COM(2026)7001 – C100226/2026 – 2026/0284(BUD))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2026)7001 – C100226/2026),

–having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF Regulation),

–having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

–having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 10 thereof,

–having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund,

–having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+),

–having regard to the EEA Report No 1/2024 - European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA),

–having regard to the EEA Report 3/2026: Climate resilience in Europe, 2025 – progress and challenges,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A100000/2026),

Read the rest (19 paragraphs)

A.whereas, between 18 and 21 January 2026, storm Harry struck the Maltese islands bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, increased sea levels and wave activity, causing widespread damage across Malta and Gozo, resulting in total direct damage estimated by the Maltese authorities at EUR 132,97 million;

B. whereas, between 18 and 21 January 2026, the regions of Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria were affected by storm Harry which brought about intense and persistent rainfall, strong winds and storm surges, resulting in total direct damage estimated by the Italian authorities at EUR 2 995,4 million;

C. whereas, between 22 January and 15 February 2026, Portugal experienced a succession of severe storms bringing strong winds, intense precipitation which caused devastating floods and landslides, resulting in total direct damage estimated by the Portuguese authorities at EUR 5 351,97 million;

D. whereas, between 22 January and 14 February 2026, Spain was hit by a succession of severe storms that caused greatest damage in the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia and Extremadura, resulting in total direct damage estimated by the Spanish authorities at EUR 4 839,53 million;

1. Expresses its deepest solidarity with all the victims, their families and all the individuals affected by the storms in Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain in January and February 2026, and with the national, regional and local authorities involved in the relief efforts;

2. Welcomes the decision as a tangible and visible form of the Union’s solidarity with the citizens and regions affected by the storms in Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain;

3. Highlights the increasing number of severe, destructive and deadly natural disasters in Europe and calls on Member States and the Commission to further invest in adaptation measures to mitigate human and economic losses; considers that the budget of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) or its future equivalent should be sufficiently expanded, so that it can adequately respond to the intensification of natural disasters within the Union and provide tangible support to the Member States affected by it;

4. Stresses that the EUSF is only a curative instrument and that the Union should also continue to address climate change adaptation and mitigation by supporting European and national policies to prevent natural disasters; underlines that EEA Report No 1/2024 ‘European Climate Risk Assessment’ warned that the Union is unprepared for the effects of climate change even if the world manages to keep global temperature rise to 1,5 degrees Celsius, as set out in the Paris Agreement, and stresses the need for action to avoid the climate risks identified reaching critical levels; calls therefore on Member States and the Commission to take the necessary measures to bring the Union to achieve the commitments made in the Paris Agreement;

5. Stresses also the need for preventive measures, not only to mitigate future damage but also to prevent the exacerbation of risk conditions following catastrophic events; in particular, invites Member States to further build comprehensive risk-assessment and adaptation policy architecture, in light of the EEA's evidence of diverse preparedness levels across Member States; further stresses the risks that extreme weather and natural disasters such as storms possess for the public health across Europe and calls on the Commission to consider this aspect in relevant policies;; emphasises that all reconstruction financed by EUSF must be climate-resilient and underlines the importance of resilient critical infrastructure as an essential component of Europe's economic security and territorial cohesion;

6. Encourages the use of innovative digital tools, satellite data (e.g. Copernicus), and early-warning systems to enhance disaster preparedness; welcomes in particular the support provided through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to the Portuguese authorities having requested the activation of satellite Earth Observation data from the Copernicus programme to map the flooded areas and the storm impact zone;

7. Insists on the need for effective synergies with other Union policies and programmes and underlines that Member States should make best use of funding opportunities in particular, of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund+ and the rural development programmes;

8. Underscores that assistance provided under the EUSF should not be to the detriment of Union funding received by Member States under other Union policies or programmes; recalls that Member States can grant State aid, in accordance with the applicable Union rules;

9. Underlines that citizens, businesses and public authorities affected by a natural disaster should not have to wait unnecessarily long for assistance and that the use of advance payments is therefore welcome where the conditions of the EUSF Regulation are fulfilled; urges also the Commission to explore all possible avenues for accelerating the mobilisation of the EUSF, while ensuring the Union budget is protected in line with the principles leading to sound financial management;

10. Stresses the urgent need to release immediate financial assistance through the EUSF to ensure that support can reach Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain in a timely manner to support a quick and long-lasting recovery; stresses the importance of reducing the time between the submission of an application for EUSF assistance and the financing decision; calls for effort to be made to ensure that EUSF aid reaches its final recipients promptly, including businesses, SMEs, families, and affected citizens, as well as infrastructure reconstruction and material damage repair, all with the corresponding impact assessment and appropriate control mechanisms;

11. Underlines the need to simplify and accelerate internal procedures without undermining the institutional balance, in particular the rights of the European Parliament as budgetary and discharge authority;

12. Reiterates the importance of communicating to the public the tangible benefits brought about by EUSF, also to further increase citizens’ awareness of Union tools and programmes and reinforce public’s adherence to the European project;

13. Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

14. Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

Annex: decision of the european parliament and of the council 30 paragraphs

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Malta and Italy regarding the storm Harry in January 2026 and to Portugal and Spain following the storms in January and February 2026

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027, and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 10 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The European Union Solidarity Fund ('the Fund') aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by major or regional natural disasters or major public health emergency.

(1) The Fund is not to exceed the ceilings laid down in Article 9 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093, as amended by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765.

(2) On 10 April 2026, Malta submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following storm Harry in January 2026.

(3) On 10 April 2026, Italy submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following storm Harry in January 2026.

(4) On 13 April 2026, Portugal submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following the storms in January and February 2026.

(5) On 17 April 2026, Spain submitted an application to mobilise the Fund following the storms in January and February 2026.

(6) Those applications meet the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the Fund, as laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002.

(7) The Fund should therefore be mobilised to provide a financial contribution to Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

(8) In order to ensure that the Union financial assistance can be made available as rapidly as possible to the Member States affected and to avoid any delay in the mobilisation of the Fund, this Decision should enter into force as a matter of urgency on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and should apply from the date of its adoption,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2026, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised as follows in commitment and payment appropriations in relation to natural disasters:

(a) the amount of EUR 3 724 057 shall be provided to Malta following storm Harry in January 2026;

(b) the amount of EUR 74 884 983 shall be provided to Italy following storm Harry in January 2026;

(c) the amount of EUR 261 483 810 shall be provided to Portugal following the storms in January and February 2026;

(d) the amount of EUR 149 055 370 shall be provided to Spain following the storms in January and February 2026.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from [the date of its adoption].

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

Explanatory statement 26 paragraphs

The Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 for an amount of EUR 489 148 220 to provide assistance to Malta and Italy following storm Harry in January 2026 and to Portugal and Spain following the storms in January and February 2026.

Malta – major natural disaster: storm Harry in January 2026

Between 18 and 21 January 2026, Storm Harry struck the Maltese islands bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, increased sea levels and wave activity. The event caused widespread damage across Malta and Gozo, affecting many municipalities, especially coastal and harbour areas. The storm led to significant disruption to the normal functioning of essential services, such as blocked roads and interrupted transport links. Damage to the agricultural sector, aquaculture and the fishery industry was also recorded.

The Maltese authorities estimated the total direct damage caused by the disaster at about EUR 132.97 million. This amount exceeds the 'major natural disaster' threshold for Malta of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 121.55 million in 2026. The disaster therefore qualifies as a major natural disaster under Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Italy – regional natural disaster: storm Harry in January 2026

Between 18 and 21 January 2026, the regions of Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria were affected by Storm Harry, which brought about intense and persistent rainfall, strong winds and storm surges. The most severe damage occurred in coastal areas and along rivers, where rising water levels significantly affected several dams. As a result, thousands of people were evacuated and hundreds of homes were declared uninhabitable. The storm also destroyed public buildings, railway lines, port infrastructure and roads, which led to the temporary isolation of some communities.

The Italian authorities estimated the total direct damage caused by the disaster at about EUR 2 995.4 million. According to the Commission, the direct damage expressed as a percentage of the total weighted regional GDP of the Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily regions is 3.256%, which exceeds the 1.5% threshold applicable to regional natural disasters under Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation. The disaster therefore qualifies as a regional natural disaster within the meaning of the Regulation.

Portugal – major natural disaster: storms in January and February 2026

Between 22 January and 15 February 2026, Portugal experienced a succession of severe storms bringing strong winds and intense precipitation, which caused devastating floods and landslides. The storms created significant material damage in public and private infrastructure and destroyed numerous homes. Additionally, essential infrastructure and services in the fields of energy, water, wastewater, transport, healthcare and education were interrupted. The disaster also led to the evacuation of thousands of people and to 18 fatalities. The Portuguese authorities requested the activation of satellite Earth Observation data from the Copernicus programme to map the flooded areas and the storm impact zone through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

The Portuguese authorities estimated the total direct damage caused by the disaster at about EUR 5 351.97 million. This amount exceeds the 'major natural disaster' threshold for Portugal of 0.6% of its Gross National Income, which was EUR 1 703.84 million in 2026. The disaster therefore qualifies as a major natural disaster under Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Spain – major natural disaster: storms in January and February 2026

Between 22 January and 14 February 2026, Spain was hit by a succession of severe storms. The storms caused the greatest damage in the Autonomous Communities of Andalusia and Extremadura. The intense rainfall associated with the storms led to the evacuation of thousands of people, the closure of over 150 roads and significant structural damage to people's homes. Additionally, electricity, water and telecommunications infrastructure were cut off for a prolonged amount of time, which caused significant economic damage and left communities isolated.

The Spanish authorities estimated the total direct damage caused by the disaster at about EUR 4 839.53 million. This amount exceeds the threshold applicable to Spain for a major natural disaster, namely EUR 3 000 million in 2011 prices, corresponding to EUR 4 037.61 million in 2026. The disaster therefore qualifies as a major natural disaster under Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation.

Conclusion

The methodology for calculating EUSF aid was set out in the 2002–2003 Annual Report on the EUSF and accepted by the European Parliament and the Council. The EUSF contribution may not exceed the estimated total cost of eligible operations. Applying the methodology outlined above, the Commission has evaluated the EUSF aid in response to the four applications submitted by Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain, and therefore concludes that the disasters referred to in the application submitted by Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain meet the conditions set out in the EUSF Regulation for mobilising the EUSF. The Commission proposes to the budget authority to mobilise the following amounts:

Country/ DisasterTotal direct damageApplied disaster threshold2.5% of total direct damage [up to the threshold for major disasters]6% of total direct damage above the threshold for major disastersTotal amount of proposed aidAdvance paidBalance to be paid
(EUR)(EUR)(EUR)(EUR)(EUR)(EUR)(EUR)
Malta – storm132,970,625121,548,0003,038,700685,3573,724,057931,0142,793,043
(major disaster)
Italy – storm2,995,399,3581,379,823,03674,884,983N/A74,884,983not requested74,884,983
(regional disaster)
Portugal – storm5,351,969,0001,703,838,00042,595,950218,887,860261,483,81065,370,952196,112,858
(major disaster)
Spain – storm4,839,525,7634,037,605,000100,940,12548,115,245149,055,37037,263,842111,791,528
(major disaster)
TOTAL489,148,220103,565,808385,582,412

Pursuant to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 (hereafter ‘the MFF Regulation’) the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) is constituted of two instruments: the European Solidarity Reserve and the Emergency Aid Reserve.

The European Solidarity Reserve with an annual amount of EUR 1 016 million in 2018 prices (corresponding to EUR 1 190.4 million in 2026 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the EUSF. Point 10 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation on budgetary matters and on sound financial management as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, lays down the modalities for the mobilisation of the EUSF in the context of the SEAR.

In order to avoid an early depletion of the annual allocation, Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph, of the MFF Regulation stipulate that 25% of the annual EUSF allocation must remain available on 1 October of each year (end-of-year-cushion). In 2026, this amount corresponds to EUR 297.6 million.

In accordance with Article 9(2), first subparagraph, of the MFF Regulation, any portion of the annual amount not used in a given year n may be used up to year n+1. The amount of EUR 21.3 million has been carried over from 2025 to 2026.

Moreover, pursuant to Article 4a(4) of the EUSF Regulation, the amount of EUR 50 million has already been inscribed in the General Budget 2026 (in commitments and payments) for the payment of possible advances. In 2026, the Commission has already paid four advances totalling EUR 133.7 million: to Spain regarding the wildfires in 2025, to Malta regarding Storm Harry in January 2026 and to Portugal and Spain regarding the storms in January and February 2026.

Finally, in line with Decision (EU) 2026/1809 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 July 2026 the EUSF will provide assistance to Romania regarding the floods at the end of May 2025, to Cyprus following the wildfires in July 2025 and to Spain following the wildfires in August 2025 for a total EUR 144.1 million, of which the balance to be paid amounts to EUR 111.6 million.

In conclusion, the total available amount before 1 October is EUR 628.1 million (excluding the amount available for advances and end-of-year cushion), which is sufficient to cover the proposed amount for mobilisation.

Available EUSF resources in 2026 (EUR)
Total annual allocation in 20261,190,405,931
Carry-over amount from 2025 incl. unused advances (+)21,304,355
Amount already used (-)245,348,099
Total amount available, of which:966,362,187
® Amount to be used for advances40,647,932
® End-of-year cushion, available after 1 October297,601,483
® Amount available before 1 October628,112,772
Amount proposed to be mobilised, of which:489,148,220
® Balance to be paid385,582,412
Remaining amount for future applications incl. advances and end-of-year cushion580,779,775

The rapporteur supports the swift adoption of the Commission proposal for a decision annexed to this report and the rapid release of the corresponding financial assistance, as a sign of European solidarity with Malta, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The rapporteur calls on the Commission to ensure that this financial contribution is delivered with particular urgency.