A report from the European Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, published on 30 June 2026, details the 2023 operations of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), revealing record payouts and severe strain on the Fund's budget. The Commission received five new applications in 2023—from Greece, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, and Türkiye—all assessed as eligible, and disbursed approximately EUR 220.09 million in advance payments to Italy, Slovenia, and Greece.
The report covers four 'major natural disasters' (Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and Türkiye) and one 'neighbouring country natural disaster' (Austria, linked to Slovenia's floods). Advance payments included EUR 94.7 million to Italy (paid November 2023), EUR 100 million to Slovenia (paid December 2023), and EUR 25.4 million to Greece (paid February 2024). Final contributions approved by the budgetary authority on 4 October 2023 totalled EUR 1.31 billion: Türkiye received EUR 400 million (paid April 2024), Italy EUR 378.8 million (balance paid December 2024), Slovenia EUR 428.4 million (balance paid December 2024), Austria EUR 5.2 million (paid December 2024), and Greece EUR 101.5 million (balance paid December 2024).
Hungary's COVID-19 assistance (EUR 39.7 million, closed October 2023) and Italy's 2019 severe weather aid (EUR 211.7 million, closed December 2023). The report notes that the high volume of applications and the scale of disasters—particularly the Türkiye earthquake—severely strained the EUSF budget, prompting the Commission to propose a mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) increasing the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) ceiling by EUR 2.5 billion (2023 prices) for 2024-2027. That revision was finalised in 2024.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The report underscores a tension between providing rapid, substantial solidarity to disaster-hit member states and neighbouring countries, and maintaining fiscal discipline within the EU budget. The record payouts—especially the EUR 400 million to Türkiye, a candidate country—demonstrate the EU's willingness to extend support beyond its borders, but also expose the Fund's vulnerability to a single large disaster. The proposed MFF increase reflects a trade-off: higher SEAR ceilings mean less room for other EU spending priorities or require additional member state contributions.
Impact on stakeholders - Affected member states and Türkiye: Beneficiaries received timely financial relief, with advance payments covering urgent needs. Italy and Slovenia, hit by severe floods, obtained the largest final contributions (EUR 378.8 million and EUR 428.4 million respectively), helping reconstruction. However, the gap between application and final payment (up to 14 months for some) may strain national budgets in the interim. - EU taxpayers and budget: The EUR 1.31 billion in total payouts for 2023 applications, plus the MFF revision, increase the EU's fiscal exposure to natural disasters. Taxpayers may face higher contributions or reduced funding for other EU programmes if disaster frequency rises. - EU institutions: The Commission gains experience in managing large-scale solidarity operations, but the report highlights the need for more predictable funding. The Council and Parliament, as budgetary authority, must balance solidarity with fiscal prudence in future MFF negotiations. - Insurance and construction sectors: The influx of EU funds for reconstruction in Italy, Slovenia, and Greece could boost demand for construction services and materials, while insurers may see reduced claims if public funds cover part of the damage.
Institutional follow-up The report is submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for information. No further legislative action is required, but the findings may inform upcoming MFF mid-term reviews and discussions on the EUSF's design, including possible adjustments to eligibility criteria, co-financing rates, or the SEAR ceiling. The Commission is expected to continue monitoring disaster risks and may propose further reforms based on the 2023 experience.