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 Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods occurred in September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods occurred in October 2024
Date: 2025-05-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Budget, European Commission
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU Member State, European Union Solidarity Fund, Moldova, aid to disaster victims, commitment of expenditure, emergency aid, financial aid, flood, general budget (EU)

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 27.5.2025  COM(2025) 250 final 2025/0138 (BUD)  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 Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods occurred in September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods occurred in October 2024  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

This  decision  covers  the  mobilisation  of  the  European  Union  Solidarity  Fund  (hereinafter 
referred  to  as  ‘the  EUSF’)  in  accordance  with  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2012/20021 
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  ‘the  EUSF  Regulation’)  for  an  amount  of  EUR 280  740  903  to 
provide  assistance  to  Austria,  Poland,  Czechia,  Slovakia,  Moldova  and  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina in relation to the natural disaster (floods) that took place in 2024. 

This mobilisation is accompanied by DEC No 10/2025 that proposes to transfer the amount of 
EUR 270 077 316 from  the European Solidarity  Reserve (hereinafter referred as ‘the  ESR’) 
reserve  line  to  the  EUSF  operational  budget  line,  both  in  commitments  and  payments 
appropriations. 

2. 

2.1 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

1 

INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS 

Austria – neighbouring country natural disaster: floods in September 2024 

On 29 November 2024, Austria submitted an application for a financial contribution 
from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in 
September 2024. 

Austria  applied  for  a  contribution  from  the  EUSF  within  the  deadline  of  12  weeks 
after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  13  September  2024.  The 
application  contains  all  the  information  required  under  Article  4  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation.  On  6  December  2024,  Austria  submitted  an  updated  application  to 
complement the information included in the original application package. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The Austrian authorities submitted the  application under the “neighbouring country 
natural  disaster”  criterion  as  laid  down  in  Article  2(4)  of  the  EUSF  Regulation, 
which stipulates that assistance from the EUSF may also be mobilised for any natural 
disaster  in  an  eligible  state  that  is  also  a  major  natural  disaster  in  a  neighbouring 
eligible  state.  Austria  estimates  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at 
EUR 1 711.6  million.  This  amount  represents  0.38%  of  Austria’s  Gross  National 
Income  (GNI)  in  2022.  As  the  same  natural  disaster  qualifies  a  “major  natural 
disaster” in Czechia, the application from Austria is eligible for a contribution from 
the EUSF without a specific threshold. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Austria  requested  the  payment  of  an  advance  pursuant  to  Article  4a  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. On the basis of the preliminary assessment, the Commission concluded 
that  the  conditions  for  paying  an  advance  from  the  EUSF  were  met.  Therefore,  an 

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  2012/2002  of  11 November  2002  establishing  the  European  Union 
Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/2012/oj). 

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advance  of  EUR  10  663  587  was  awarded  by  Commission  Implementing  Decision 
C(2025)  1124  of  17  February  2025.  The  advance  was  paid  to  Austria  on  3  April 
2025. 

Between 12 and 16 September 2024, exceptionally high levels of rainfall occurred in 
Austria  causing  severe  flooding.  Lower  Austria,  Upper  Austria  and  Vienna  were 
particularly affected. In some parts of Lower Austria, 300-420 mm of rain fell in five 
days. The entire province of Lower Austria was declared a disaster area. Protective 
measures  had  to  be  put  in  place  along  the  Danube  River.  In  Lower  Austria,  nearly 
2 000 houses had to be evacuated, thousands of households were without electricity, 
drinking water and sewerage for days. The floods led to five fatalities and 24 people 
were injured in Lower Austria. 

The Austrian authorities did not request assistance through the European Union Civil 
Protection Mechanism. 

telecommunications, 

Austria  estimated  the  cost  of  operations  eligible  under  Article  3(2)  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation  at  EUR 394.1  million  and  presented  the  costs  broken  down  by  type  of 
operation.  The  largest  share  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  the 
restoration of the working order of infrastructure and plants in the fields of energy, 
transport,  health,  and  education 
water  and  wastewater, 
amounting to EUR 277.4 million. The second largest share of cost concerns securing 
the  preventive  infrastructure  and  measures  of  protection  of  cultural  heritage 
amounting to EUR 75.9 million. The third largest share of cost concerns temporary 
accommodation  and  rescue  services  amounts  to  EUR 22 million.  The  costs 
concerning cleaning up of the disaster-stricken area amount to EUR 18.8 million. 
Directive 2007/60/EC2 has been fully transposed in Austria by the 2011 amendment 
of the Water Law Act (WRG). 

At  the  date  of  submitting  the  application,  Austria  was  not  subject  to  infringement 
proceedings concerning Union legislation relating to the nature of the disaster. 

The Austrian authorities indicated that public infrastructure generally is not insured 
in Austria. Therefore, insured costs are excluded from the eligible costs. 

Poland – regional natural disaster: floods September 2024  

On 29 November 2024, Poland submitted an application for a financial contribution 
from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in 
September 2024. 

Poland  applied  for  a  contribution  from  the  EUSF  within  the  deadline  of  12  weeks 
after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  11  September  2024.  The 
application  contains  all  the  information  required  under  Article  4  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The Polish authorities submitted the application under the “regional natural disaster” 
criterion as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation, which is any natural 

Directive  2007/60/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  23  October  2007  on  the 
assessment and management of flood risks (the “Floods Directive”). 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

2.2 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

2 

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disaster in  a region  at NUTS level 2 of an eligible State resulting  in  direct  damage 
exceeding  1.5%  of  that  region’s  gross  domestic  product  (GDP).  The  Polish 
authorities  estimate  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at  EUR  3.04 
billion. According the EUSF regulation, where the natural disaster concerns several 
regions at NUTS level 2, the threshold shall be applied to the average GDP of those 
regions  weighted  according  to  the  share  of  total  damage  in  each  region.  The  direct 
damage expressed as a percentage of total weighted regional GDP of Dolnośląskie, 
Opolskie,  Śląskie  and  Lubuskie  provinces  is  8.46%.  This  amount  exceeds  1.5%  of 
the weighted average regional GDP of Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie and Lubuskie 
provinces. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Poland did not request the payment of an advance pursuant to Article 4a of the EUSF 
Regulation. 

Between  11  and  16  September  2024,  heavy  rain  occurred  in  south-western  Poland 
which  led  to  the  flooding  of  several  rivers.  The  most  impacted  provinces  were  the 
Dolnośląskie,  Opolskie,  Śląskie  and  Lubuskie  provinces.  Subsequently,  nearly  10 
600  residential  and  more  than  2  000  farm  buildings  were  flooded.  Over  200  000 
people  were  directly  affected  by  the  disaster.  Numerous  businesses  were  forced  to 
temporarily suspend or significantly reduce their operations which led to significant 
financial losses.  

The  Polish  authorities  requested  assistance  through  the  European  Union  Civil 
Protection  Mechanism.  The  needs  included  disinfectants,  dehumidifiers,  rubber 
boots,  gloves  and  vaccines.  Assistance  was  received  from  Belgium,  Denmark, 
Germany, Lithuania, Slovenia, Sweden, Austria. 

Poland  estimated  the  cost  of  operations  eligible  under  Article  3(2)  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation at EUR 2 755.2 million and presented the costs broken down by type of 
operation.  The  largest  share  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  the 
restoration of the working order of infrastructure and plants in the fields of energy, 
transport,  health,  and  education 
water  and  wastewater, 
amounting  to  EUR 2  721.3  million.  The  second  largest  share  of  cost  concerns  the 
cleaning  up  of  the  disaster-stricken  area  amount  to  EUR 19.8  million.  The  third 
largest  share  of  cost  concerns  temporary  accommodation  and  rescue  services 
amounts to EUR 14.2 million. 
Directive 2007/60/EC3 has been fully transposed in Poland. 

telecommunications, 

At  the  date  of  submitting  the  application,  Poland  was  not  subject  to  infringement 
proceedings concerning Union legislation relating to the nature of the disaster. 

The  Polish  authorities  indicated  that  insured  costs  were  excluded  from  the  eligible 
costs. 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

3 

Directive  2007/60/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  23  October  2007  on  the 
assessment and management of flood risks (the “Floods Directive”). 

EN 

3 

  EN 

 
2.3 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Czechia – major natural disaster: floods in September 2024 

On 4 December 2024, Czechia submitted an application for a financial  contribution 
from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in 
September  2024.  On  4  April  2025,  Czechia  submitted  additional  clarifications 
regarding the data and the information provided in the EUSF application. 

Czechia  applied for a contribution  from  the EUSF within the deadline of 12 weeks 
after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  12  September  2024.  The 
application  contains  all  the  information  required  under  Article  4  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The Czech authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 
2.82 billion. This amount exceeds the ‘major natural disaster’ threshold for Czechia 
of  0.6%  of  its  Gross  National  Income,  which  was  EUR  1.58  billion  in  2024. 
Therefore, the disaster qualifies as a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) 
of the EUSF Regulation. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Czechia  did  not  request  the payment of an  advance on the contribution  pursuant  to 
Article 4a of the EUSF Regulation. 

Between  12  and  17  September  2024,  very  strong  winds  and  heavy  rain  struck  the 
entire country which led to flooding. The most affected regions were the Moravian-
Silesian and the Olomouc Region. Dozens of houses and approximately 1 000 road 
and  railway  bridges  and  2  000  km  of  roads  and  railway  lines  were  destroyed,  or 
damaged. More than 350 schools were flooded. Over 250 000 households were left 
without electricity, heat and drinking water. As a result, over 13 000 people, as well 
as several hospitals had to be evacuated. The floods also led to eight fatalities. 

The Czech authorities did not  request  assistance  through the European  Union  Civil 
Protection Mechanism.  

Czechia  estimated  the  cost  of  operations  eligible  under  Article  3(2)  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation at EUR 1 699.5 million and presented the costs broken down by type of 
operation. The largest share of cost concerns the restoration of the working order of 
infrastructure  and  plants  in  the  fields  of  energy,  water,  wastewater,  telecoms, 
transport,  health,  and  education  amounting  to  EUR 1  583.9  million.  The  second 
largest  share  of  cost  concerns  temporary  accommodation  and  rescue  services 
amounting to EUR 80 million. The third largest share of cost concerns the cleaning 
up  of  the  disaster-stricken  area  amounting  to  EUR 33.3  million.  The  fourth  largest 
share  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  securing  the  preventive 
infrastructure and measures of protection of cultural heritage amounting to over EUR 
2.4 million. 

(10) 

In  Czechia,  the  transposition  of  Directive  2007/60/EC  of  the  European  Parliament 
and of the Council took place mainly through Act No. 254/2001 Coll., on waters, as 
amended. The issue of flood protection is the subject of Title IX of this Act. 

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(11) 

At  the  date  of  submitting  the  application  Czechia  was  not  subject  to  infringement 
proceedings concerning Union legislation relating to the nature of the disaster. 

(12) 

The Czech authorities did not indicate any insurance coverage of the eligible cost.  

2.4 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Slovakia – neighbouring country natural disaster: floods in September 2024 

On 7 December 2024, Slovakia submitted an application for a financial contribution 
from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in 
September 2024. 

Slovakia applied for a contribution from the EUSF within the deadline of 12 weeks 
after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  15  September  2024.  The 
application  contains  all  the  information  required  under  Article  4  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The Slovakian authorities submitted the application under the “neighbouring country 
natural  disaster”  criterion  as  laid  down  in  Article  2(4)  of  the  EUSF  Regulation, 
which stipulates that assistance from the EUSF may also be mobilised for any natural 
disaster  in  an  eligible  state  that  is  also  a  major  natural  disaster  in  a  neighbouring 
eligible  state.  Slovakia  estimates  the  total  direct  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  at 
EUR 84.3  million.  This  amount  represents  0.07%  of  Slovakia’s  Gross  National 
Income  (GNI)  in  2022.  As  the  same  natural  disaster  qualifies  a  “major  natural 
disaster” in Czechia, the application from Slovakia is eligible for a contribution from 
the EUSF without a specific threshold. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Slovakia  did  not  request  the  payment  of  an  advance  pursuant  to  Article  4a  of  the 
EUSF Regulation. 

As of 15 September 2024, Slovakia experienced substantial flooding, particularly in 
Bratislava  and  the  surrounding  regions.  Both  the  Danube  and  Morava  rivers  saw 
significant  water  level  rises,  with  return  periods  exceeding  100  years  in  some 
locations.  Cumulative  rainfall  reached  up  to  400  mm  in  the  Záhorie  region, 
exacerbating  the  impact.  The  most  significant  damage  was  attributed  to  smaller 
rivers,  where  levee  breaches  were  reported,  amplifying  the  flooding  and  leading  to 
destruction  in  both  rural  and  urban  areas.  Roads,  bridges,  and  other  critical 
infrastructure were severely affected, straining emergency response efforts. 

The  Slovakian  authorities  did  not  request  assistance  through  the  European  Union 
Civil Protection Mechanism. 

Slovakia  estimated  the  cost  of  operations  eligible  under  Article  3(2)  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation  at  EUR 3.7  million  and  presented  the  costs  broken  down  by  type  of 
operation.  The  largest  share  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  the 
cleaning up of the disaster-stricken area amounting to EUR 2.3 million. The second 
largest  share  of  cost  concerns  the  restoration  of  the  working  order  of  infrastructure 
and plants in the fields of energy, water and wastewater, and transport amounting to 
EUR 1.4 million. 

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(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

Slovakia  transposed  Directive  2007/60/EC4  into  its  national  law  through  Act  No. 
7/2010 Coll. 

At the date of submitting the application, Slovakia was not subject  to  infringement 
proceedings concerning Union legislation relating to the nature of the disaster. 

The  Slovakian  authorities  indicated  that  insurance  costs  were  excluded  from  the 
eligible costs..  

2.5  Moldova – regional natural disaster: floods in September 2024 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

On 5 December 2024, Moldova submitted an application for a financial contribution 
from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in 
in September 2024. 

Moldova applied for a contribution from the EUSF within the deadline of 12 weeks 
after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  14  September  2024.  The 
application  contains  all  the  information  required  under  Article  4  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The  Moldovan  authorities  submitted  the  application  under  the  “regional  natural 
disaster” criterion as laid down in Article 2(3) of the EUSF Regulation, which is any 
natural  disaster  in  a  region  at  NUTS  level 2  of  an  eligible  State  resulting  in  direct 
damage  exceeding  1.5%  of  that  region’s  gross  domestic  product  (GDP).  The 
Moldovan authorities estimate the total direct damage caused by the disaster at EUR 
7.8  million.  According  the  EUSF  regulation,  where  the  natural  disaster  concerns 
several regions at NUTS level 2, the threshold shall be applied to the average GDP of 
those  regions  weighted  according  to  the  share  of  total  damage  in  each  region.  The 
direct damage expressed as a percentage of total weighted regional GDP of Moldova 
Centre and Moldova South NUTS 2 regions is 51.74%. This amount exceeds 1.5% of 
the  weighted  average  regional  GDP  of  “Moldova  Centre”  and  “Moldova  South” 
regions. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Moldova  is  a  country  involved  in  accession  negotiations  with  the  Union  and  thus 
eligible  for  assistance  from  the  EUSF.  However,  since  it  is  not  a  Member  State,  it 
does not qualify for the payment of an advance pursuant to Article 4a of the EUSF 
Regulation.  

Between  14  and  16  September  2024,  torrential  rain  and  the  resulting  floods  hit  the 
Cantemir,  Hincesti,  Leova,  Straseni,  Floresti  and  Telenesti  districts  of  Moldova. 
Over 200 000 people were affected by the disaster. The floods destroyed or damaged 
20 bridges, 8 educational institutions and several public buildings. Dozens of houses 
and cellars were flooded and over 60 people needed to be rescued.  

4 

Directive  2007/60/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  23  October  2007  on  the 
assessment and management of flood risks (the “Floods Directive”). 

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(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

2.6 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

The  Moldovan  authorities  did  not  request  assistance  through  the  European  Union 
Civil Protection Mechanism.  

Moldova  estimated  the  cost  of  operations  eligible  under  Article  3(2)  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation  at  EUR 7.2  million  and  presented  the  costs  broken  down  by  type  of 
operation.  Almost  the  totality  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  the 
restoration of the working order of infrastructure and plants in the fields of transport, 
and education. 
Directive 2007/60/EC5 has been partially transposed in Moldova. 

The  Moldovan  authorities  indicated  that  insured  costs  were  excluded  from  the 
eligible costs. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina – major natural disaster: floods in October 2024 

On  27  December  2024,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  submitted  an  application  for  a 
financial contribution from the EUSF to finance emergency and recovery operations 
following the floods in September 2024.  

Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  applied  for  a  contribution  from  the  EUSF  within  the 
deadline  of  12  weeks  after  the  first  damage  caused  by  the  disaster  occurred  on  4 
October 2024. The application contains all the information required under Article 4 
of the EUSF Regulation. 

The disaster is of natural origin and therefore falls within the field of application of 
the EUSF. 

The authorities  of Bosnia and  Herzegovina  estimate the total  direct  damage caused 
by  the  disaster  at  EUR  841.85  million.  This  amount  exceeds  the  ‘major  natural 
disaster’  threshold  for  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  of  0.6%  of  its  Gross  National 
Income, which was EUR 138.33 million in 2024. Therefore, the disaster qualifies as 
a ‘major natural disaster’ according to Article 2(2) of the EUSF Regulation. 

The total direct damage is the basis for the calculation of the amount of the financial 
contribution  from  the  EUSF.  The  financial  contribution  may  only  be  used  for 
essential  emergency  and  recovery  operations  as  defined  in  Article  3  of  the  EUSF 
Regulation. 

Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  is  a  country  involved  in  accession  negotiations  with  the 
Union  and  thus  eligible  for  assistance  from  the  EUSF.  However,  since  it  is  not  a 
Member State, , it does not qualify for the payment of an advance pursuant to Article 
4a of the EUSF Regulation. 

Between 3 and 17 October 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina was hit by heavy rainfall, 
which  caused  catastrophic  flash  floods,  landslides  and  flooding  in  the  central, 
southern  and  western  parts  of  the  country.  Herzegovina-Neretva,  Central  Bosnia, 
Zenica-Doboj  and  Canton  10  were  the  most  affected  cantons.  In  addition  to  power 
outages lasting  several  days and disruptions to  landline and mobile phone services, 
there  was  also  a  complete  disruption  to  road  and  rail  transport.  This  caused  severe 
physical and financial damage to residential and commercial buildings, as well as to 
the transport, water and sewage system. The floods led to 27 fatalities and 22 people 

5 

Directive  2007/60/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  23  October  2007  on  the 
assessment and management of flood risks (the “Floods Directive”). 

EN 

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(8) 

(9) 

were  injured.  Many  families  were  forced  to  leave  their  homes  and  were 
accommodated in temporary shelters. 

On 5 October 2024, the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested assistance 
through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. In total, 8 Member States 
and 5 participating states responded to the request. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina estimated the cost of operations eligible under Article 3(2) 
of the EUSF Regulation at EUR 792.15 million and presented the costs broken down 
by  type  of  operation.  The  largest  share  of  cost  concerns  the  restoration  of  the 
working order of infrastructure and plants in the fields of energy, water, wastewater, 
telecoms,  transport,  health,  and  education  amounting  to  EUR 782.93  million.  The 
second largest share of cost concerns temporary accommodation and rescue services 
amounting to EUR 5.68 million. The third largest share of cost concerns the cleaning 
up  of  the  disaster-stricken  area  amounting  to  EUR 3.45  million.  The  fourth  largest 
share  of  the  cost  of  emergency  operations  concerns  securing  the  preventive 
infrastructure and measures of protection of cultural heritage amounting to over EUR 
82.41 thousand. 

(10) 

(11) 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the transposition of Directive 2007/60/EC is under way. 

The  authorities  of  Bosnia  and  Herzegoviana  indicated  that  insured  costs  were 
excluded from the eligible costs. 

2.7 

Conclusion 

In  light  of  the  considerations  set  out  above  and  following  the  assessment  of  the  submitted 
information,  the  Commission  concludes  that  the  disasters  referred  to  in  the  application 
submitted by Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet 
the conditions set out in the EUSF Regulation for mobilising the EUSF. 

3. 

FINANCING  

Council  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  No  2020/2093  of  17 December 2020  laying  down  the 
multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-20276 (hereafter the “MFF Regulation"), 
allows for the mobilisation of the EUSF in the context of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid 
Reserve (SEAR). Point 10 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between 
the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on  budgetary  discipline,  on 
cooperation on budgetary matters and on sound financial management7 (IIA) as well as on the 
new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, lays 
down the modalities for the mobilisation of the EUSF in the context of the SEAR. 

As solidarity was the main justification for the creation of the EUSF, the Commission takes 
the view that aid should be progressive.  Consequently, the portion of the damage exceeding 
the  “major  natural  disaster”  threshold  for  mobilising  the  EUSF  (i.e.  0,6 %  of  GNI  or 
EUR 3 billion  in  2011  prices,  whichever  is  the  lower  amount,  cf.  Article  2(2)  EUSF 
Regulation) should give rise to higher aid intensity than the portion of the damage below the 
threshold. That means that the aid amount for a country affected by disaster complying with 
the conditions for a ‘major natural disaster’ is calculated by adding up two amounts: 2.5% of 

6 
7 

OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 11, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2093/oj. 
OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2020/1222/oj. 

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8 

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the  total  direct  damage  under  the  threshold  and  6%  for  the  part  of  the  total  direct  damage 
above the threshold. 

The rate applied for defining the aid amounts for ‘regional natural disasters’, which remains 
below  the  national  threshold,  is  2.5%  of  total  direct  damage.  When  applying  for  the  EUSF 
assistance  based  on  the  ‘neighbouring  country’  criterion,  there  are  no  thresholds  for  the 
sustained total direct damage. The rate applied for defining an aid amount for a disaster under 
‘neighbouring country’ criterion is the same as in case of a ‘regional disaster’, i. e. 2.5% of 
the  total  direct  damage.  The  EUSF  contribution  may  not  exceed  the  estimated  total  cost  of 
eligible operations. 

The methodology for calculating the aid was set out in the 2002-2003 Annual Report on the 
EUSF and accepted by the Council and the European Parliament.  

The  Commision  therefore  proposes  to  the  budgetary  authority  to  mobilise  the  following 
amounts: 

Disaster 

Total direct 
damage 
(EUR) 

Applied 
disaster 
threshold 
(EUR) 

2,5% of 
total 
direct 
damage 
(up to the 
threshold 
for major 
diasters) 
(EUR) 

6% of direct 
damage above 
the major 
disaster 
threshold 
(EUR) 

2.5% of 
total direct 
damage 

Total 
amount of 
aid 
proposed 
(EUR) 

Advance 
paid 
(EUR) 

Balance to 
be paid 
(EUR) 

Austria-floods 
(neighbouring 
disaster) 
Poland-floods 
(regional disaster) 

Czechia 
(major disaster) 
Slovakia-floods 
(neighbouring 
disaster) 
Moldova-floods 
(regional disaster) 
Bosnia and 
Herzegovia-floods 
(major disaster) 

1 711 563 002 

N/A 

N/A 

3 039 957 574 

538 909 893 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

42 789 075 

42 789 075 

10 663 587 

32 125 488 

75 998 939 

75 998 939 

N/A 

2 821 143 019 

1 579 680 000 

39 492 000 

74 487 781 

N/A 

113 979 781 

N/A 

75 998 939 

113 979 781 

84 327 482 

N/A 

7 807 840 

226 331 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

2 108 187 

2 108 187 

N/A 

2 108 187 

195 196 

195 196 

N/A 

195 196 

841 851 670 

138 325 000 

3 458 125 

42 211 600 

N/A 

45 669 725 

N/A 

45 669 725 

TOTAL 

280 740 903 

10 663 587 

270 077 316 

Council  Regulation  2024/7658  of  29  February  2024  amending  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom) 
2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027 split the 
Solidarity  and  Emergency  Aid  Reserve  (SEAR)  in  two  separate  instruments:  the  European 
Solidarity Reserve and the Emergency Aid Reserve. The European Solidarity Reserve with an 
annual amount of EUR 1 016 million (in 2018 prices, corresponding to EUR 1 167.1 million 
in 2025 prices) will be used for assistance to respond to emergency situations covered by the 
EUSF. 

8 

Council  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  No  2024/765  of  29  February  2024  amending  Regulation  (EU, 
Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (OJ 
L, 2024/765, 29.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/765/oj). 

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9 

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In line with Article 3(7) of the EUSF Regulation and Article 9(2), second subparagraph, of the 
amended  MFF  Regulation,  25%  of  the  annual  EUSF  allocation  (i.e.  EUR  291.8  million  for 
2025) must bemade available on 1 October of each year. 

Moreover,  according  to  the  Article  4a(4)  of  the  EUSF  Regulation,  the  amount  of 
EUR 50 000 000 has been already inscribed in the EU general budget 2025 (in commitments 
and payments appropriations) for the payment of possible advances. 

Finally,  in  accordance  with  Article  9(2)  of  the  MFF  Regulation,  any  portion  of  the  annual 
amount not used is a given year n may be used up to year n+1. Therefore, the amount of EUR 
194.3 million has been carried over from 2024. 

Therefore, the maximum amount that can be used by the EUSF  at this stage is EUR 908,95 
million (excluding the reserve for advances  and the amount that will become available on 1 
October).  After  this  mobilisation  EUR  980,64  million  will  remain  available  for  upcoming 
mobilisations. 

Amount available under the EUSF in 2025 (EUR): 

Total annual 2025 EUSF allocation (incl. 1 October tranche) 

Amount carried over from 2024 (incl. unused advances) (+) 

Credits reserved for advance payments (-) 

Amount already used for advances to Spain and Austria (-) 

Amount available only after 1 October (-) 

Total amount currenty available (excl. reserve for advances and 1 October tranche) 

Amount proposed for mobilisation under current  Mobilisation Decision (only balance to 
be paid) 

1 167 064 638 

194 316 161 

50 000 000 

110 663 587 

291 766 160 

908 951 052 

270 077 316 

Remaining amount for future applications (inc. for advances and 1 October tranche) 

980 639 896 

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2025/0138 (BUD) 

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 
Austria, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Moldova relating to floods occurred in 
September 2024 and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to floods occurred in October 
2024 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, 

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing 
the European Union Solidarity Fund9 and in particular Article 4(3) thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  of  16  December  2020  between  the 
European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on 
budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management 
as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own 
resources10, and in particular point 10 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

9 
10 
11 

The European Union Solidarity Fund ('the Fund') aims to enable the Union to respond 
in  a  rapid,  efficient  and  flexible  manner  to  emergency  situations  in  order  to  show 
solidarity with the population of regions struck by major or regional natural disasters 
or major public health emergency. 

The Fund is  not  to  exceed the ceilings  laid down in  Article 9 of Council Regulation 
(EU, Euratom) No 2020/209311. 

On  29  November  2024,  Austria  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund 
following the floods in September 2024. 

On  29  November  2024,  Poland  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund 
following the floods in September 2024. 

On  4  December  2024,  Czechia  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund 
following the floods in September 2024. 

On  7  December  2024,  Slovakia  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund 
following the floods in September 2024. 

OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/2012/oj. 
OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2020/1222/oj. 
Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No  2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual 
(OJ  L  433I,  22.12.2020,  p.  11, 
the  years  2021 
financial 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2093/oj). 

framework 

to  2027 

for 

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11 

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(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

On  5  December  2024,  Moldova  submitted  an  application  to  mobilise  the  Fund 
following the floods in September 2024. 

On 27 December 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted an application to mobilise 
the Fund following the floods in October 2024. 

Those applications meet the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the 
Fund, as laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002. 

(10)  The Fund should therefore be mobilised to provide a financial contribution to Austria, 

Poland,  Czechia, Slovakia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

(11)  To minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply from the 

date of its adoption, 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

For the general budget of the Union, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised 
as follows in commitment and payment appropriations in relation to natural disasters: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

the amount of EUR  42 789 075 shall be provided to Austria in relation to floods in 
September 2024; 

the amount of EUR 75 998 939 shall be provided to Poland in relation to floods in 
September 2024;  

the amount of EUR 113 979 781 shall be provided to Czechia in relation to floods in 
September 2024; 

the amount of EUR 2 108 187 shall be provided to  Slovakia in relation to floods in 
September 2024; 

the  amount  of  EUR  195  196  shall  be  provided  to  Moldova  in  relation  to  floods  in 
September 2024; 

the  amount  of  EUR  45  669  725  shall  be  provided  to  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  in 
relation to floods in October 2024. 

Article 2 

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Union. 
It shall apply from [the date of its adoption]*. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
 The President 

* 

Date to be inserted by the Parliament before the publication in OJ. 

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