Direct aid for fires 2026: up to 70% subsidy for farmers and livestock breeders with agricultural insurance

Key data

Farmers and livestock breeders who had a combined agricultural insurance policy contracted and have suffered damage from the 2026 fires have access to direct aid as of October 22, 2026, the date of entry into force of the Royal Decree 849/2026. The regulation responds to the exceptional magnitude of the damage—more than 270,000 hectares burned—and enables two compensation mechanisms without the need to compete with other applicants.

Direct granting is supported by article 22.2.c) of the General Subsidies Law, reserved for situations of exceptional character. This means there is no competitive call: if you meet the requirements, you have the right to aid.

What does this regulation establish?

RD 849/2026 articulates two independent and cumulative aid lines:

The premium subsidy reaches up to 70%, which is the ceiling set by European regulation for this type of public support for agricultural insurance. Extraordinary aid is calculated using the average gross production per hectare of each crop or farm as a reference, to which an additional 20% is added to compensate for deductibles that insurance does not cover. In the case of woody crops—vineyards, olive groves, almond trees, citrus—the regulation also recognizes lost profits, that is, the income that the farmer will cease to receive during the years it takes to recover production.

Economic and operational impact

For a farmer or livestock breeder with agricultural insurance, the economic impact is immediate and positive: the regulation reduces the net cost of the policy and compensates for damage that the insurance itself does not fully cover.

• Reduction in insurance cost: If the annual premium amounts to €3,000, the subsidy can cover up to €2,100 (70%), leaving only €900 for the policyholder.
• Compensation for uncovered damage: The 20% on average gross production per hectare covers the portion that insurance leaves uncompensated due to deductibles.
• Lost profits in woody crops: Vineyards, olive groves, almond trees and citrus take several years to recover their production after a fire. The regulation recognizes this future loss and compensates for it, which represents a significant economic impact for farms of these species.
• No competition with other applicants: As direct granting, there is no risk of being excluded due to budget exhaustion in a competitive call.

Who does it affect?

The regulation affects holders of combined agricultural insurance policies whose assets or activity have been damaged by the 2026 fires. The provinces and crops with the highest incidence are:

• Especially affected provinces: Huelva, Ávila, Toledo, Madrid, Castellón, Zamora, Zaragoza, Huesca and Cáceres.
• Crops and farms with greatest exposure:
  • Vineyards
  • Olive groves
  • Almond trees
  • Citrus
  • Livestock farms

The essential requirement is having a combined agricultural insurance policy contracted within the framework of the combined agricultural insurance system in force in Spain. Farmers or livestock breeders without insurance contracted do not have access to these aids.

Practical example

An olive grower in Huelva with 50 hectares of olive grove affected by the 2026 fires, with a combined agricultural insurance policy with a premium of €4,000/year and average gross production of €1,200/ha, could receive:

• Premium subsidy: Up to €2,800 (70% of the €4,000 premium), reducing net cost to €1,200.
• Extraordinary aid for deductibles: 20% on average gross production of 50 ha × €1,200/ha = €60,000 base → €12,000 compensation for uncovered deductibles.
• Lost profits: As it is a woody crop (olive grove), the regulation also recognizes compensation for the years it will take for the plantation to recover normal production, calculated on average gross production per hectare.

This example illustrates that the combination of both lines can represent very relevant economic compensation for woody crop farms in the affected provinces.

What should farmers and livestock breeders do now?

1. Verify that you have a valid combined agricultural insurance policy. It is the essential requirement to access both aid lines. Without contracted insurance, there is no access to these aids.
2. Document the damage suffered. Gather all documentation that proves the damage to your agricultural activity: expert reports, photographs, insurance reports, farm declarations.
3. Contact your insurance company. Report the damage and request processing of the claim file. Extraordinary direct aid is calculated on average gross production, data that must be documented.
4. Identify if you have woody crops. If you have vineyards, olive groves, almond trees or citrus, make sure the file includes lost profits, as the regulation expressly recognizes it for these crops.
5. Consult with your agricultural advisor or manager. As direct granting without competitive bidding, the procedure is more agile, but it is advisable to verify that you meet all formal requirements before submitting the application.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21948