A cover note from the Council of the European Union, dated 30 June 2026, transmits the European Commission's 2024 Annual Report on the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF). The report details the thresholds for major disasters in 2024 and provides an overview of ten applications received during the year, with total financial contributions exceeding EUR 460 million allocated to flood-stricken member states and neighbouring countries.
The document, submitted to the European Parliament and the Council, outlines that EUSF mobilisation requires total direct damage to exceed either 0.6% of the country's gross national income (GNI) or EUR 3 billion (2011 prices), whichever is lower. Annex I lists country-specific major disaster thresholds for 2024, based on 2022 Eurostat GNI figures. Annex II provides a detailed breakdown of the ten applications received, all related to floods in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Financial contributions range from EUR 195,196 for Moldova to EUR 113,979,781 for Czechia, with aid rates varying from 2.50% to 5.42% of total direct damage. Applications are categorised as 'Major', 'Regional', or 'Neighbouring' disasters, each with specific eligibility criteria.
The report demonstrates the EUSF's role in providing rapid financial solidarity to EU member states and neighbouring countries affected by natural disasters. The varying aid rates and thresholds reflect a tailored approach to disaster severity and national economic capacity. The high number of flood-related applications in 2024 underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters in Europe. The financial contributions support emergency response and recovery operations, reducing the economic burden on affected regions. The report may influence future EU disaster preparedness and solidarity fund allocation policies.
EU taxpayers bear the cost of the fund, which is financed from the EU budget. Affected member states and neighbouring countries benefit from direct financial aid to cover emergency and recovery costs. The European Commission gains evidence to support future policy proposals on disaster resilience. Insurance and construction sectors in affected regions may see increased demand for services related to rebuilding.