Union Civil Protection Mechanism, 2028‑2034
Summary
During the November I plenary session, Parliament will vote on its position on the Commission proposal for a regulation on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and Union support for health emergency preparedness and response (UCPM+), ahead of trilogue negotiations with the Council. The proposal seeks to enhance EU‑level coordination and cooperation with Member States, and would reform the current UCPM and determine the long‑term budget for civil protection and health emergency preparedness as part of the proposed multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the post‑2027 period.
Translations are available for this publication.
Statement of purpose
First‑reading report: 2025/0223(COD); Committees responsible: ENVI and SANT; Rapporteurs: Leire Pajín (S&D, Spain) and Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuania). For further information see our 'EU Legislation in progress' briefing.
Background
Recent climate‑related disasters, health crises and security threats have highlighted the need for a resilient Union, capable of anticipating and effectively addressing future disasters and complex long‑lasting crises through comprehensive and integrated crisis management based on an all‑hazards approach. This requires a better coordinated and upscaled EU approach, even though civil protection and health security preparedness and response remain primarily the responsibility of the Member States.
European Commission proposal
The UCPM+ is designed as a key EU‑level instrument for integrated crisis management based on a 'preparedness by design' approach. The integration of a health emergency preparedness component aims to strengthen cross‑sectoral preparedness for addressing high‑impact crises and emerging threats. A crisis coordination hub within the Commission would be tasked with anticipating risks, and coordinating and monitoring cross‑sectoral operations at EU level. The UCPM+ would support actions to enhance anticipation, prevention and early warning capabilities. It would also foster civil‑military preparedness and response cooperation by developing and maintaining capacities with a view to their dual use in case of large‑scale emergencies. The current co‑financing rates would be simplified. The proposed UCPM+ budget under the 2028‑2034 MFF amounts to €9.458 billion in 2025 constant prices (€10.675 billion in current prices).
European Parliament position
The Committees on Environment, Climate and Food Safety and on Public Health jointly adopted their position on the proposal on 1 October 2026. The report strengthens the UCPM+ anticipation and prevention strand by introducing vulnerability mapping at national, regional and local levels and an integrated Union space service for public warning systems. It promotes a whole‑of‑society approach, further involves local and regional governments, and envisages a legal status for first‑line response volunteers. It also includes dedicated articles on preparing for climate‑related risks, establishing a recovery readiness framework, and stockpiling medical countermeasures. The report specifies the response capacities that rescEU will consist of, proposes a Union‑level civil‑military preparedness framework and clarifies the hub's tasks. The Commission's support for health emergency preparedness and response is outlined comprehensively. The UCPM+ financial envelope is split as follows: 40 % for rescEU and civil protection, 40 % for health emergencies and 20 % as a flexibility reserve. In its interim report on the 2028‑2034 MFF proposal, Parliament calls for a budget of €11 billion in 2025 constant prices (€12.42 billion in current prices).
Classification
Policy areas: Environment | Public Health
Regions: European Union
Committees: Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI), Public Health (SANT)
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