EU Emergency Aid to Farmers in Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia for Climate Disasters 2026

Key data

The agricultural sectors of Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia will receive direct financial support from the EU to compensate for losses resulting from adverse climate phenomena and natural disasters. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1698, published on 13 July 2026 and effective from 10 July, activates the emergency mechanism provided for in the Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, which regulates the common organization of agricultural markets in the EU.

For agricultural operators in the five beneficiary countries, this measure represents concrete economic relief and a signal of European institutional support in the face of climate crises. For those in the rest of the member states, including Spain, it is a direct reference to the mechanism that could be activated in equivalent situations.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1698 activates the emergency financial aid mechanism contemplated in the corresponding article of Regulation (EU) 1308/2013. This instrument allows the European Commission to intervene with European funds when an agricultural sector in a member state suffers a serious market disruption caused by exceptional events, such as natural disasters or adverse climate phenomena.

The five beneficiary countries of this activation are:

• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovenia

Each of these countries may receive direct support to compensate for losses in their agricultural production sectors, with the aim of stabilizing markets seriously disrupted by the climate events they have suffered.

It is worth noting that Spain is not among the beneficiaries of this specific call. However, the legal mechanism used is exactly the same that could be activated in case of similar disasters in Spanish territory, making this regulation a procedural reference for the Spanish agricultural sector.

Economic and operational impact

The activation of this mechanism has direct economic consequences for the agricultural sectors of the beneficiary countries:

• Loss compensation: Farmers and operators in the affected sectors in the five countries can access direct financial support to cover losses resulting from climate disasters.
• Market stabilization: The explicit objective of the measure is to stabilize agricultural markets seriously disrupted, which reduces the risk of price falls or supply collapse in those territories.
• Institutional signal: The activation of the mechanism reinforces the sector's confidence in Europe's capacity to respond to climate crises, which also has value for investors and financing entities in the agricultural sector.

For Spanish operators, the direct economic impact of this regulation is zero in this call. However, it has clear strategic value: it demonstrates that the mechanism exists, works, and can be activated. Agricultural organizations and competent administrations in Spain must be aware of this precedent to be able to request it in the face of future disasters.

Who does it affect?

• Farmers and agricultural producers in Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia affected by adverse climate phenomena or natural disasters.
• Agricultural production sectors in the five beneficiary countries whose market has been seriously disrupted by climate events.
• National agricultural administrations of the beneficiary countries, which must manage and channel the aid received.
• Agricultural organizations and cooperatives in the affected countries, which can act as intermediaries in the distribution of financial support.
• Spanish agricultural sector (indirectly): as a reference for the mechanism that could be activated in Spain in case of similar disasters, and as a potential competitor or complement in shared European agricultural markets.
• Advisors and consultants in the agri-food sector who work with clients in the affected countries or who manage European agricultural funds.

Practical example

A Portuguese farmer whose farm has suffered significant losses from an adverse climate phenomenon—such as extreme drought, flooding, or late frosts—can benefit from the financial support activated by this Regulation. Through Portugal's national agricultural authorities, which receive European funds channeled by the Commission, the farmer can access direct compensation for losses in their production, helping to stabilize their economic situation and that of the local agricultural market.

In parallel, a Spanish agricultural cooperative operating in high climate risk areas—such as those affected by the DANA of 2024—can use this Regulation as a reference to understand the procedure that the Spanish administration should follow if it requests the activation of the same mechanism with the European Commission.

What should companies do now?

1. If you operate in Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania, or Slovenia: contact your country's national agricultural authorities to learn about the deadlines, requirements, and procedures for requesting the financial support activated by this Regulation.
2. If you are an agricultural organization or cooperative in the beneficiary countries: inform your members about the existence of this aid and act as an information and management channel with the competent authorities.
3. If you operate in Spain or another non-included member state: document this precedent. If your sector has suffered or may suffer serious climate disasters, this Regulation is the reference for the mechanism that can be requested from the European Commission.
4. If you are an agri-food advisor or consultant: review Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 to understand the formal requirements that a member state must meet to request the activation of this emergency mechanism.
5. If you manage European agricultural funds: update your regulatory map with this Implementing Regulation, as it establishes a precedent for practical application of the emergency mechanism for the 2026 financial year.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation at the official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601698