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This Water Framework Directive (WFD) Country Profiles section offers a concise overview of the current status of surface and groundwater bodies across the EU, as reported under the Third River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). Designed for a broad audience interested in discovering the latest results on water status, key pressures, and challenges at both EU and country level, this section provides easy-to-understand summaries and visual content. For more expert users, detailed data reported by countries under the third and previous WFD cycles can be explored through the WFD Expert Dashboards, accessible at the bottom of each profile's sections or collectively in the WFD Expert Dashboards section.

The WFD in a nutshell

According to the Water Framework Directive, surface water bodies are required to achieve and maintain good ecological and chemical status and groundwater bodies are required to achieve and maintain good quantitative and chemical status. Member States have assessed the status of their surface water and groundwater bodies in 6-year cycles, by 2009, 2015 and 2021, as part of the development of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for their River Basin Districts (RBDs). Member States have also developed accompanying Programmes of Measures (PoMs), which include steps to prevent pollution and over-abstraction, protect healthy water bodies, and restore those in poor condition. The next assessment is expected by 2027. For further information on the methodology for assessing water body status, please read further the dedicated webpage on the Water Framework Directive.