Lisbon, April 14, 2026 (Lusa) – The government has submitted a request to Brussels for support from the European Union (EU) Solidarity Fund following damages exceeding €5.3 billion caused by severe weather, it announced on Tuesday.

A series of storms hit Portugal between 22 January and 15 February, primarily affecting the Central region.

"The government submitted a request yesterday [Monday] to the European Commission for support from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to cover total losses in excess of €5.3 billion caused by the series of storms," the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion announced in a statement.

In the request, the government said that seven storms battered Portugal, with winds exceeding 130 kilometres per hour, while record rainfall, floods, landslides, and heavy seas added to the destruction.

These events destroyed homes, water supply systems, power grids, and communications infrastructure, causing severe impacts on ports, hospitals, schools, heritage sites, and the broader economy. The application aims to fund the reconstruction of affected public infrastructure and emergency interventions.

"Portugal reflected the impact of climate change. It is necessary to prepare territories and infrastructure for such events. 

Alongside reconstruction, we are working to make Portugal more resilient," the economy minister, Castro Almeida, said.

The EU Solidarity Fund supports member states facing major natural disasters or public health emergencies.

PE/RYOL // ADB.

Lusa/Fim