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

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

BUDG-PR-796158

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Lucia Yar

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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.

Committee 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.