Business · Economy · 3 hrs ago
Floods account for 77.8% of Spain’s disaster compensation since 2004
Spain’s Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros pays compensation for damage caused by certain disasters.
It paid €11.09 billion for flood damage from 2004 to 2025, more than the amount budgeted for infrastructure in Spain’s 2023 national budget.
Floods accounted for 77.8% of the body’s disaster payouts, far more than storms or earthquakes.
Floods cause high costs because they happen every year and can be intense.
The October 2024 flood disaster was the costliest, killing 233 people and prompting more than €5.16 billion in payouts in the Valencian Community alone.
Most flood compensation covers damage to property, while a smaller share pays for lost business income or personal injury.
The figures show the large financial impact of recurring floods across Spain, as new flood alerts return in autumn.
Floods accounted for 77.8% of Spain’s disaster compensation from 2004 to 2025.
The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros paid €11.09 billion for flood damage over that period.
Unusual cyclonic storms accounted for 13.6% of compensation, while earthquakes accounted for 4.8%.
The October 2024 DANA was the Consorcio’s costliest disaster, with more than €5.164 billion paid in the Valencian Community alone.
- Who
- Spain’s Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, which pays compensation for disaster damage.
- What
- Floods accounted for 77.8% of disaster compensation paid by the Consorcio between 2004 and 2025.
- When
- From 2004 to 2025.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- Floods occur every year and can cause damage through their frequency and intensity, according to a Consorcio official.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Floods in the Basque Country, Cantabria and Navarre led to €1.033 billion in compensation, in 2025 values.
The Consorcio paid €11.09 billion in flood compensation.
The DANA became the Consorcio’s costliest disaster; more than €5.164 billion was paid in the Valencian Community.
- Flood share
- 77.8% of disaster compensation from 2004 to 2025
- Total flood compensation
- €11.09 billion
- Unusual cyclonic storms
- 13.6% of compensation, or €1.946 billion
- Earthquakes
- 4.8% of compensation, or €684 million
- Costliest disaster
- October 2024 DANA, with more than €5.164 billion paid in the Valencian Community
What people are saying
Floods are the risk that costs the most across Europe, because of their frequency and intensity. While earthquakes or volcanic eruptions happen from time to time, there are floods every year.