Area of Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives in the EU, 1993-2022

The figure illustrates the progress in the designation of the Natura 2000 network of sites in the European Union.

• Many sites are designated under both the Habitats and Birds Directives. Data on the area covered by Natura 2000 that takes this overlap into account has been available since 2011.

• Data for 1993-2019 shows the area for EU-27 plus the United Kingdom. Data since 2020 shows the area for EU-27 only. The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU led to a decrease in the Natura 2000 area.