The fund is normally used to support member states affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

The Commission is now opening the way for Member States suffering a considerable financial burden, directly linked to a contractual withdrawal, to seek funds from the Fund. It is about the EU countries that have the most trade with the UK.

However, a prerequisite for receiving support from the fund is that the costs could not have been avoided through better preparation.

Funds can, for example, be used as grants for state support for companies, for measures to prevent redundancies or to ensure that border and customs controls work.

The Commission also decided that the EU Globalization Adjustment Fund should be used to support employees who lose their jobs due to the UK leaving without a contract.