Devastating floods have afflicted Poland since 22 September 2024, prompting the government to introduce changes to the 2024 budget. According to Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, the government will make necessary changes to the budget within two weeks.

“In flood areas, they have deferred tax payments, and there are a number of factors that make the probability (of a budget amendment) increase. We are talking about tens of billions of zlotys. It would not be responsible for me to give the amounts, but it will be tens of billions of zlotys”, Domanski said.  

In the wake of these floods, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged EUR 5 billion in flood relief to Central Europe, which Domanski termed as insufficient for Poland’s post-flood reconstruction.

The floods, classified as one of the worst in two decades, have wreaked havoc in central Europe, including Poland. Analysts suggest that the financial toll on Poland may surpass the costs incurred during the catastrophic floods of 1997.