Europe's relentless drought crisis reshapes economies and water policies by 2026

Drought conditions have gripped nearly every part of Europe in recent years. Between 2012 and 2026, every country in the European Economic Area, along with the UK, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia, faced at least one period of severe dryness. Two-thirds of Europe’s regions recorded at least one extremely dry year during this period. In these areas, moderate drought lasted for at least 183 days. On average, about 10 percent of the continent’s land experienced moderate drought for over 100 days annually.

Some nations have taken drastic action to cope. Spain introduced mandatory water-use cuts in 2024, slashing agricultural consumption by up to 80 percent in many regions. Other countries have followed with similar restrictions, with a few even issuing drought warnings during winter months.

Albania, Serbia, Poland, and Liechtenstein saw a sharp decline in water availability since 2012. Heatwaves have grown more frequent and severe, especially in Southern Europe. Glaciers across all European regions continue to shrink, worsening water shortages.

The economic toll has been heavy. In 2025 alone, extreme weather cost Europe at least €43 billion. If trends persist, losses could rise to €126 billion by 2029. Meanwhile, political pressures have weakened parts of the European Green Deal, with right-wing groups pushing back against stricter environmental measures. Drought now touches almost every aspect of life in Europe. Water restrictions, shrinking glaciers, and rising economic costs show the growing impact of climate change. Governments are responding with policy changes, though some measures have been scaled back under political pressure.