Brussels proposes another 261 million from the Solidarity Fund for Portugal

A the budget includes a package of EUR 498 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EU), with parcels also intended for Spain (149 ME), Italy (74.8 ME) and Malta (3.72 ME).

According to a communiqué from the Community executive, funding will support essential emergency and recovery operations to rebuild transport infrastructure and restore essential services.

The proposal follows requests made by the four Member States after storm Harry hit Malta and Italy in January, and after a series of storms caused serious flooding in Portugal and Spain between January and February 2026.

Storms caused widespread destruction and serious disturbances in everyday life.

In Portugal, a convoy of severe storms triggered floods and landslides, causing 19 fatalities, as well as large damage to infrastructure, and there were also evacuated areas.

In Spain, the storms particularly affected Andalusia and Extremadura, causing the cutting of roads, evacuations and prolonged disturbances in the supply of electricity and water.

Storm Harry struck Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia in Italy, damaging coastal and riverside areas and forcing evacuations.

In Malta, the same storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, rising sea level and strong waves, affecting communities in Malta and Gozo.

The funding proposed today is in addition to some €65.37 million that the EU has already sent to Portugal.

The Commission proposal must now be approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council.

After taking into account the advances, EUR 385.6 million remains to be paid to the four affected Member States. As soon as the proposal is approved by the co-legislators, the Commission will adopt the implementing decision for the payment of the remaining balance.

Portugal was hit by a storm train earlier this year. At least 19 people died in Portugal between the end of January and the beginning of March following the passage of the depressions Kristin, Leonardo and Marta, which also made several hundred wounded, displaced and displaced. More than half of the deaths were recorded in recovery work.

The storms, which reached the continental territory for about three weeks, especially in the Central, Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and Alentejo regions, caused the total or partial destruction of thousands of homes, businesses and equipment, the fall of trees and structures, the cutting of energy, water and communications, floods and floods, with losses of more than EUR 5 billion.