The EU is allocating €120.5 million from the Solidarity Fund to Spain to support recovery following the 2025 wildfires

The Council of the EU has approved the allocation of €120.55 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to Spain to help address the severe environmental, social and economic damage caused by the third wave of forest fires that swept across Spain in 2025. This wave of fires was the most destructive on record, with a total of 243 forest fires across 16 autonomous communities.

As part of the standard procedure for the Solidarity Fund, the European Commission has approved an initial advance payment of €30.13 million (25% of the total aid). This initial payment will be used to cover the spending on emergency operations carried out on the ground since 8 August, the date from which recovery costs officially become eligible for funding.

Objective of the EUSF

The objective of the EUSF is to complement the efforts of Member States affected by severe natural disasters and major emergencies. To this end, it covers part of the public spending allocated to urgent essential operations and recovery measures, including:

• Restoration of critical infrastructure: Urgent repairs and restoration of essential public services.

• Protection of the environment and culture: Clearing up disaster-stricken areas, strengthening preventive infrastructure and protecting damaged cultural heritage.

• Immediate public services: Funding for emergency rescue services and the provision of temporary accommodation for families who have lost their homes or had to be evacuated.

The Solidarity Fund as a pillar of European resilience

This new EU financial aid package consolidates the European Union's support for the effects of climate-related disasters. In 2025, the EU approved a grant of €946 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to mitigate the devastating effects of the DANA storm that severely affected the Valencian Community and other areas of the country at the end of 2024. That grant was the second largest amount awarded in the history of this mechanism.

On this occasion, the funding proposed by the EU for Spain accounts for 84% of the total €144 million package, which also provides joint assistance to Romania (for the severe floods of May 2025) and Cyprus (for the forest fires of July 2025), in addition to Spain.

Next steps

The Council's approval comes as part of the standard procedure for processing applications under the Solidarity Fund. Following Spain's request, the Commission put forward the proposal, which must be approved by both the Council and the European Parliament. Only the Parliament's approval is now needed before the final go-ahead is given for the €120.5 million from the EUSF.

Non official translation