Press release - EU aid for Spain, Romania and Cyprus to tackle recent natural disasters

EU aid for Spain, Romania and Cyprus to tackle recent natural disasters
On Tuesday, plenary voted in favour of channelling €144.1 million in EU funds to support Spain, Romania and Cyprus after devastating wildfires, floods and heatwaves in 2025.
By 642 votes to 13, and with one abstention, MEPs backed the proposed release from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), to be distributed as follows:
- Spain, €120.55 million;
- Romania, €14.34 million, and
- Cyprus, €9.21 million.
Spain and Cyprus have already received advance payments (€30 million and €2.3 million respectively) to assist their initial recovery efforts. The EU support will help finance emergency response measures, including the restoration of essential infrastructure and public services, the clean-up of disaster-affected areas, and the provision of temporary accommodation, rescue services, and other urgent recovery measures.
Spain faced prolonged drought, intense heatwaves and several major wildfire outbreaks throughout the year, with the most destructive fires beginning in August 2025, forcing mass evacuations and resulting in the loss of eight lives. Romania experienced severe flooding in May and June 2025, following days of heavy rainfall. Several regions suffered extensive damage. At the Praid Salt Mine, floodwaters compromised critical infrastructure and triggered widespread power outages. In Cyprus, two major wildfires in July 2025 affected mainly the Limassol and Paphos regions, displacing thousands of residents, claiming two lives and destroying nearly 900 private properties, while also disrupting education and healthcare services.
Background
The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) is the EU’s main post-disaster relief instrument. Since its launch in 2002, it has provided more than €10 billion in support for 147 disaster events, including 127 natural disasters and 20 public health emergencies, across 25 EU member states and six accession countries. The 2025 wildfire season stands out as the most destructive on record.
Contacts:
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Eszter ZALAN
Press Officer