Fact check: Is there free watering in the EU?

Often in the comments under news about irrigation on Agri.BG, various users of the site ask, "When will our irrigation become free"? Countries such as Spain, Greece, Romania, and Italy are most frequently mentioned. Agri.BG checked whether this is true. The answer is categorical: In no country in the European Union is irrigation completely free. What is the real picture? In the EU, irrigation is almost everywhere paid for—either per cubic meter or per hectare. See also: Under drip management: When pipes rust faster than the promises The difference is in how much farmers pay and whether the state subsidizes their costs. Most often, the assistance comes in the form of: That is, it is not "free," but part of the cost is covered by the state or the EU through subsidies or state aid. Where does the misconception come from? In some countries, farmers pay a very low price for water because: This creates the impression that irrigation is "free." However, there is no official policy for ...