Spain allocates €9 million for agricultural aid following forest fires

The Spanish government has officially published Royal Decree 849/2026, allocating €9 million in aid to agricultural holdings damaged by this year's forest fires. The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers and proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), aims to accelerate the recovery of the primary sector.

In regions like Valencia, the funds are designed to complement Agroseguro indemnities for farmers with valid policies. Compensation limits vary by production type: up to €3,500 per hectare for fruit trees, €1,900 for citrus, €900 for vineyards, and €500 for olive groves. Additional support is available for livestock and apiculture.

This financial relief follows a devastating year for Spanish forestry. Provisional data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) indicates that 275,209 hectares have burned between January 1 and September 20, 2026—a figure 2.5 times higher than the average of the last decade.