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Factsheet for measure DE-2024-4/3325 – measures in Germany

Aid to private households in Lower Saxony damaged by the Christmas flood

Richtlinie zur Gewährung von Hilfen für vom Weihnachts-Hochwasser 2023 geschädigte Privathaushalte in Niedersachsen

Country Germany , applies regionally

    • – DE9 NIEDERSACHSEN
Time period Temporary, 24 January 2024 – 31 December 2026
Context Extreme Weather Events
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Measures to prevent social hardship
– Keeping or obtaining a safe home
Author Thilo Janssen (WSI)
Measure added 26 October 2023 (updated 26 April 2024)

Background information

In December 2023, large parts of Northern Germany witnessed a flood caused by persistent rainfall. Lower-Saxony was the most affected state, but also were parts of Bavaria, Bremen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Unlike the 2021 flood, this was not considered to be a national catastrophe. Therefore, emergency aid remained within the competence of the states and local communities. On the basis of the circular decree (German: Runderlass) of the Ministry for the environment, energy, and climate protection of the State of Lower Saxony, local govenments can provide financial emergency aid to private households affected by the flood.

Content of measure

The emergency aid is granted to financially bridge acute emergencies regarding accommodation or the replacement of household goods. The aid is generally not repayable. Flood-related aid includes damages which were directly caused by the flood. Direct damage caused by emergency services and emergency vehicles is also taken into account. If total damage to household contents is expected to be €5,000 or more (in cases of hardship also less than €5,000), emergency aid will be granted in the amount of €500 for each adult and €250 for each child, with a minimum of €1,000 and a maximum of €2,500 per household. If a particularly acute emergency situation is justified in an individual case, emergency aid of up to €20,000 can be granted for private households as an exception.

Use of measure

No data available yet.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Does not apply to businesses Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
Local / regional government
Regional funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement as case not in social partner domain No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Emergency aid is not within social partner domain.

Views and reactions

No reactions known.

Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2023), Aid to private households in Lower Saxony damaged by the Christmas flood, measure DE-2024-4/3325 (measures in Germany), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/DE-2024-4_3325.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.