Budget MEPs back storm recovery aid for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta

On Monday, the Budgets Committee voted to unlock aid worth €489 million to help the four countries recover following severe storms and flooding earlier this year.

The total amount of €489 million in funding from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), approved by 34 votes in favour, 0 against, and 0 abstentions in the Budgets Committee, would support essential emergency and recovery operations. The four member states requested the aid after storm Harry struck Malta and Italy in January 2026, and after a series of storms caused severe flooding in Portugal and Spain between January and February 2026. The storms caused widespread destruction and serious disruption to the daily lives of Europeans there.

The breakdown of the proposed funding is as follows:

Malta: €3.7 million;

Italy: €74.9 million;

Portugal: €261.5 million;

Spain: €149.1 million.

The EUSF support would help finance emergency and recovery measures such as restoring energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications and transport infrastructure, as well as health and education services, where needed. The aid would also cover clean-up operations, temporary accommodation and rescue services, and measures to secure preventive infrastructure and protect cultural heritage.

Since 2002, the EU Solidarity Fund has provided over €11 billion in aid in response to 150 disaster events, including 130 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies, across 25 member states (including the UK) and six accession countries. The EUSF is part of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve, a special instrument of the EU budget, and its mobilisation must be approved by both the Parliament and the Council.

The decision will be put to a final vote by Parliament at the October plenary session.