How to access aid for floods

Municipalities and other local entities affected by the floods in the first days of October can now apply for aid to repair damage to infrastructure, facilities, and public buildings. The Government is allocating an initial amount of 20 million euros, which can be increased according to needs, as part of an extraordinary package of 75 million approved to address the effects of the torrential rains. The subsidies are aimed at town councils, decentralized municipal entities, mancomunitats, and county councils in the regions included in the call.

The measure aims to ease the economic burden on municipalities and accelerate the recovery of public services affected by the floods. The Government is also allocating 5 million euros in subsidies to help affected self-employed workers and SMEs recover their activity. Added to this line are 50 million euros in loans with preferential conditions from the Catalan Finance Institute (ICF), which will allow for repairs to be addressed and liquidity to be available while waiting to collect compensation from insurance companies.

50% coverage

Municipalities will receive the aid in full in advance, without having to provide guarantees. The subsidy will cover, at most, 50% of the accepted eligible expenditure. The aid must be requested through EACAT, using the form addressed to the Department of the Presidency, within a period of one month from the end of the heavy rains. Local entities will have 18 months from the receipt of the advance payment to execute the actions, with the possibility of extending the period by 9 more months if justified.

The justification for the actions must be submitted within a period of three months from the completion of the works. It will also be necessary to present the executive project or a valued report, the detailed budget, a responsible declaration certifying the link between the damages and the floods, and the certificate of ownership of the affected assets.

The aid line aimed at the affected economic sectors has the purpose of supporting the recovery of the affected economic activities by financing unforeseen expenses and urgent investments necessary to repair damages, replace affected assets, and facilitate the resumption of economic activity. The measure is addressed to the regions of Alt Camp, Alt Empordà, Alt Penedès, Baix Camp, Baix Ebre, Baix Empordà, Baix Llobregat, Baix Penedès, Barcelonès, Garraf, Garrotxa, Gironès, Maresme, Moianès, Montsià, Osona, Pla de l'Estany, Ribera d'Ebre, Ripollès, Segrià, Selva, Terra Alta, Tarragonès, Vallès Occidental, and Vallès Oriental.

ICF Emergency Loan

For its part, the financing line enabled by the Government through the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) will allow affected self-employed individuals and companies to access loans while they wait to collect compensation from insurance companies. The goal is for them to have liquidity to repair damages, replace damaged equipment, and resume activity as soon as possible.

The loans, ranging from 20,000 euros to 5 million euros, are offered under preferential conditions, with a repayment period of up to 10 years and a grace period of up to one year. The interest rate will be the 12-month Euribor plus a spread of between 1% and 3%, with guarantees adapted to each operation.

To facilitate access to this aid, the Government is reinforcing information and assistance channels, such as 012 and citizen service offices, to resolve doubts and guide town councils, citizens, companies, and professionals regarding the available support measures.