Natura 2000 is a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. It stretches across all 27 EU countries, both on land and at sea.
The aim of the network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats, listed under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive.

Protecting biodiversity in Europe through Natura 2000

Discover Europe’s stunning diversity of plants, animals and landscapes and how the EU is protecting them.

Open the mini-website

Natura 2000 map viewer

See the European network of Natura 2000 protected sites in the map viewer. Just type some words in the search bar to visualize a site on the map, or to locate sites protecting a certain species or habitat. The viewer directs you to rich information for each site, species and habitats, offers powerful filtering options and eventually download of the information.

Go to the Natura 2000 viewer

Expert users will find the link to a Natura 2000 map viewer with more advanced options further down this page.

European Commission Natura 2000 section
European Commission Natura 2000 section

The official page of the European Commission on Natura 2000

Natura 2000 Barometer
Natura 2000 Barometer

Find an overview on area and site numbers in the Natura 2000 network and by Member State

Natura 2000 list dashboard
Natura 2000 list dashboard

Filter the list of Natura 2000 sites by country, by directive or by biogeographical region and export results.

Natura 2000 expert viewer
Natura 2000 expert viewer

Natura 2000 expert viewer with data as submitted and including species and habitat distribution reported by Member States

Emerald map viewer
Emerald map viewer

The Emerald network of the Bern Convention relies on the same methodologies as Natura 2000

The European nature protection toolkit
The European nature protection toolkit

This toolkit helps educators to set up and run activities about nature protection in Europe, in the classroom and in the field

Growth of the Natura 2000 network
Growth of the Natura 2000 network

Evolution of the area covered by Natura 2000 in the EU

LIFE Programme and  Natura 2000
LIFE Programme and Natura 2000

Find which Natura 2000 sites benefited from the LIFE programme, and read more about some iconic examples

Natura 2000 and World Heritage Common Areas
Natura 2000 and World Heritage Common Areas

Some sites of the UNESCO World Heritage are also within, or very close to, a Natura 2000 site. Find them, and learn more about some iconic sites