Victims of the DANA floods can access reconstruction and economic recovery measures

The Congress of Deputies, through its Permanent Deputation, has issued a resolution on October 16, 2026, ordering the publication of the agreement to validate Royal Decree-Law 24/2026, of September 29. This legislative action confirms the measures established for the immediate response, reconstruction, and economic relaunch following the damages caused by the DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression) in various municipalities between October 28 and November 4, 2024. By validating this decree, the legislative branch provides the necessary legal stability to ensure that the aid and reconstruction processes can proceed without interruption.

What changes

The primary change introduced by this resolution is the formal parliamentary validation of the measures previously established in Royal Decree-Law 24/2026, of September 29. Under Article 86.2 of the Spanish Constitution, the validation by the Permanent Deputation is a critical step that transforms the emergency decree into a stable legal framework. This ensures that the subsidies, tax measures, and reconstruction funds intended for the disaster-stricken areas are not subject to legal challenges regarding their origin or validity.

While the resolution itself is a procedural act of validation, its effect is the activation and protection of the substantive measures contained within the original Decree-Law. These measures are specifically designed to address the heavy damage caused by the DANA event, focusing on the reconstruction of infrastructure and the economic revitalization of the affected municipalities. The validation ensures that the administrative procedures for granting aid can be executed with full legal backing.

Context

The DANA event that occurred between October 28 and November 4, 2024, caused significant damage to property, infrastructure, and local economies across several Spanish municipalities. In such extreme natural disasters, the Spanish government typically utilizes the Royal Decree-Law mechanism to provide immediate relief, as standard legislative processes are too slow to address urgent humanitarian and economic needs. However, for these emergency measures to remain in force and be legally binding for the long term, they must be validated by the Congress of Deputies.

This validation process integrates the emergency measures into the broader Spanish legal system, specifically touching upon areas of subsidies, disaster management, and personal income tax (IRPF) considerations for those suffering losses. By validating this specific decree, the government is aligning the emergency response with the constitutional requirements for legislative oversight, ensuring that the funds allocated for reconstruction are managed under a secure legal umbrella.

Who is affected and how

Individuals (Particulares)
Private individuals who suffered direct damages due to the DANA floods between October 28 and November 4, 2024, are the primary beneficiaries. The validation of the decree ensures that the rights to claim compensation or access reconstruction subsidies are protected. This includes residents of the affected municipalities who may need to repair their primary residences or recover personal assets lost during the floods.

Small and Medium Enterprises (PYMEs)
Businesses operating in the affected areas that experienced operational disruptions, damage to stock, or destruction of premises are directly impacted. The decree provides the framework for economic relaunch measures, which are essential for the survival of local commerce and industry. For these entities, the legal certainty provided by this validation is crucial for accessing credit lines or direct subsidies intended to restore business viability.

Construction Sector
Given the focus on reconstruction, companies in the construction and civil engineering sectors will see an increase in demand for services related to repairing public infrastructure and private buildings. The legal framework established by the decree provides the necessary stability for these companies to participate in public tenders and reconstruction projects funded by the state.

What to do and when

This specific resolution (BOE-A-2026-21787) is a procedural validation and does not impose new direct obligations, deadlines, or penalties on individuals or companies. Instead, it confirms the validity of the existing framework established in the original Royal Decree-Law 24/2026.

Affected parties should take the following steps:

• Document all damages: Ensure that all physical and economic damages suffered between October 28 and November 4, 2024, are thoroughly documented with photographic evidence, expert reports, and invoices.
• Monitor official bulletins: Keep a close watch on the BOE and regional government announcements for the specific opening of application windows for the subsidies and aid programs mentioned in the decree.
• Consult professional advisors: Given the complexity of disaster-related tax deductions and subsidy requirements, it is highly recommended to evaluate your specific situation with the corresponding area at BMC to ensure all applications meet the technical requirements.

We recommend contacting the relevant department at BMC to assess your specific case and ensure that any claims for aid or tax relief are handled with the necessary technical rigor.