EU health policy
The EU helps to improve public health through funding and legislation on tackling cross-border health threats, medicines, patient's rights in cross-border healthcare, disease prevention and promotion of good health.
What is the EU's role in health policy
EU member states are responsible for organising and delivering health services and medical care. The EU’s role in health policy is therefore complementary to national policies.
EU policies and actions in public health aim to:
- protect and improve the health of EU citizens
- support the modernisation of health infrastructure
- improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems
- strengthen preparedness and response measures to cross-border health threats
In the field of health the EU adopts laws and recommendations to protect people, covering for example health products and patients' rights.
Coordination on public health issues is a necessary consequence of the free movement of people and goods in the internal market. EU cooperation in public health issues serves to tackle common health challenges resulting for example from antimicrobial resistance, preventable chronic diseases and an aging population.
A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in all Union policies and activities. Article 168 of the TFEU (legal basis for the EU's health policy)
Key measures in EU health policy
Areas where the EU has adopted legislation include:
- patients' rights in cross-border healthcare
- medicines and medical devices
- serious cross-border health threats
- cancer, tobacco and promotion of good health
- organs, blood, tissues and cells
Patients' rights in cross-border healthcare
Under EU law, EU citizens have the right to access healthcare in any EU member state and to be reimbursed for care abroad by their home country. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) ensures that necessary healthcare is provided under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country.
Additionally, an EU directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare, is setting out the conditions under which a patient may travel to another EU country to receive medical care and reimbursement.
European Health Data Space
On 21 January 2025, the Council adopted a new law that makes it easier to exchange and access health data at EU level.
The European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation aims to improve individuals’ access to and control over their personal electronic health data, while also enabling certain data to be reused for research and innovation purposes for the benefit of European patients. It provides for a health-specific data environment that will ensure cross-border access to digital health services and products within the EU.
Easier access to health data for individuals
Under the new rules, individuals will have faster and easier access to electronic health data, regardless of whether they are in their home country or another member state. They will also have greater control over how that data is used. EU countries will be required to set up a digital health authority to implement the new provisions.
Greater research potential
The EHDS will also provide researchers and policy-makers with access to specific kinds of anonymised, secure health data, enabling them to tap into the vast potential provided by the EU’s health data to inform scientific research, develop better treatments, and improve patient care.
Ensuring interoperability
Currently, the level of digitalisation of health data in the EU varies from one member state to another, making it more difficult to share data across member-state borders. The new regulation requires all electronic health record (EHR) systems to comply with the specifications of the European electronic health record exchange format, ensuring that they are interoperable at EU level.
Medicines and medical devices
The EU regulates the authorisation of medicines at EU level by the European Medicines Agency or at national level by the competent authorities in EU countries. Special rules exist for the authorisation of:
- medicinal products for paediatric use
- orphan medicines (used to treat, diagnose or prevent rare diseases affecting no more than 5 in 10 000 people in the EU)
- traditional herbal medicines
- vaccines
The EU also regulates the clinical trials that provides the data used for the authorisation. The aim is to guarantee the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products. Once placed on the market, the safety of a medicinal product continues to be monitored throughout its entire lifespan through the EU system of pharmacovigilance.
The European Medicines Agency was established in 1995 and is the a European network comprising over 40 national regulatory authorities. This guarantees a constant exchange and flow of information regarding the scientific assessment of medicinal products in the EU.
There is also a European regulatory framework for medical devices. It ensures the safety and efficacy of medical devices and facilitates patients’ access to devices in the European market.
On 30 May 2024, the Council adopted new rules updating the law on medical devices in order to help prevent shortages and ease the transition to greater transparency and access to information. These rules amended the legislation on medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs), by:
- further extending the transition period for certain IVDs
- enabling a gradual roll-out of EUDAMED, the new electronic database
- requiring manufacturers to flag up potential shortages of critical medical devices and IVDs
Cross-border health threats
The EU and its member states coordinate and cooperate in the field of health security. Risk and crisis management are the responsibility of member states. The EU has, however, the competence to support, coordinate and complement national actions.
Monitoring, early warning, preparedness and response measures to combat serious cross-border threats to health are essential elements to ensure a high level of health protection in the European Union.
The European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) provides EU member states with independent scientific advice, assistance and expertise on public health threats, such as communicable diseases.
A key milestone in building a stronger EU's health security framework was the decision in 2013 to improve preparedness and strengthen capacity for a coordinated response to health emergencies. The decision also reinforces the role of the Health Security Committee, a body composed of member states representatives, in addressing serious cross-border health threats.
The experience with the COVID-19 pandemic prompted EU countries to improve the resilience of the EU in responding to future pandemics.
In 2022, the EU adopted a set of regulations (the so-called 'European Health Union' package) to further strengthen the EU's health security framework, and to reinforce the crisis preparedness and response role of key EU agencies.
Promoting health and tackling diseases
Cancer
Cancer is the second cause of mortality and it's one of the major contributors to premature deaths in the EU. In 2020, an estimated 2.7 million people in the Union were diagnosed with cancer. Also, 52% of occupational deaths in the EU each year are due to cancer (Source: European Commission).
Apart from the direct impact cancer has on the health and wellbeing of individuals, cancer also has an impact on healthcare and social systems, public budgets, the productivity and growth of the economy, including a healthy workforce.
In 2003 the Council approved a recommendation on cancer screening, encouraging EU countries to implement population-based, quality-assured screening programmes. Following the implementation report of the recommendation and the latest scientific data the Council reviewed the 2003 recommendation to ensure that even more people can be covered by cancer screenings.
Whereas the previous cancer screening recommendation from 2003 was limited to breast, cervical and colorectal cancer, in 2022 member states agreed to broaden the focus also to lung, prostate and gastric cancer.
In June 2024, the Council adopted a recommendation that aims to combat vaccine-preventable cancers in the EU by boosting the uptake of vaccinations against Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
The recommendation aims to support member states in increasing vaccination rates and improving monitoring of vaccination coverage.
The EU has also several laws to protect workers from dangerous hazards and chemicals, including carcinogenic and mutagenic substances and lead.
The EU's fight against cancer
Fighting cancer is one of the priorities of the EU in health policy.
'Europe's beating cancer plan' tackles every stage of the disease, from prevention to the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors, and focuses on actions spanning several policy areas.
The plan seeks to reverse the trend of rising numbers of cancer cases across the EU, and to build a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future for all.
EU ministers discussed the European health union in December 2021 and called for the further strengthening of health promotion as well as the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.
- Conclusions on strengthening the European Health Union, 7 December 2021
- Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 6-7 December 2021
Europe's beating cancer plan will be supported by actions spanning policy areas from employment, education, social policy and equality, through marketing, agriculture, energy, the environment and climate, to transport, cohesion policy, and taxation. Find out more about the cancer plan for Europe.
Tobacco
Tobacco consumption is the single largest avoidable health risk, and the most significant cause of premature death in the EU, responsible for nearly 700 000 deaths every year. Around 50% of smokers die prematurely (on average 14 years earlier than non-smokers).
The tobacco products directive lays down rules governing the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products. to protect consumers in the EU. Another directive on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco introduced high taxes on tobacco products, which aims to reduce tobacco use, notably among young people.
The 2009 Council recommendation on smoke-free environments calls on EU member states to protect people from being exposed to tobacco smoke in public places and at work.
Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes such as bacteria develop resistance to one or more medicines. Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise, due to the overuse of antibiotics and improper disposal of medicines. It causes about 35 000 deaths per year in the EU (data from 2020). This situation is further aggravated by the lack of development of new antimicrobial medicines.
On 13 June 2023, the Council adopted a recommendation aimed at stepping up EU action to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the fields of human health, animal health and the environment.
Five reasons to care about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (infographic)
Vaccination
Vaccination policy is a competence of member states. The EU provides assistance to member states in coordinating their policies and programmes.
In December 2018 the Council adopted a recommendation to strengthen the EU cooperation on vaccine-preventable diseases. This initiative sets out guidance on tackling vaccine hesitancy, improving vaccination coverage, promoting coordination of vaccine procurement and supporting research and innovation. It also encourages member states to develop and implement national vaccination plans.
In December 2022, EU ministers of health approved Council conclusions on vaccination as one of the most effective tools for preventing disease and improving public health. They highlight that member states could benefit from an even more coordinated EU approach on vaccination to prevent and limit the spread of epidemics and vaccine-preventable diseases. The conclusions focus on two areas of action: combatting vaccine hesitancy and preparing for upcoming challenges through EU cooperation.
Safety of substances of human origin
Many treatments of serious conditions rely on the availability of blood, tissues and cells.
In 2002 and 2004 the EU adopted legislation to protect patients receiving blood, tissues and cells and set minimum requirements on quality and safety for all steps from donation to treatment and follow-up. This EU legislation has ensured the safety of millions of patients undergoing blood transfusion and transplantation.
On 27 May 2024, the Council adopted new rules aimed at improving the safety and quality of blood, tissues and cells used in healthcare and facilitating cross-border circulation of these substances in the EU.
The new rules strengthen the existing legal framework while also increasing flexibility in order to keep up with scientific and technical developments. The agreement on the new rules broadens the scope to include more than only blood, tissues and cells, and also include human breast milk and intestinal microbiota.
Mental health
Good mental health is a state of well-being in which people can realise their abilities, cope with stress, work and contribute to community life. However, the burden of mental health problems in the EU is very high.
Improving mental health is a social and economic necessityfor the EU and its member states that has become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, under the Spanish presidency, the Council adopted conclusions to prioritise mental health and well-being, with a particular focus on the most urgent matters and the most vulnerable groups such as people doing precarious work and young people.
eHealth
The European Commission has included eHealth as one of the key sectors in its agenda for digital transformation. eHealth refers to tools and services that use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management of diseases.
The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the importance of the digital transformation in the health and care sectors. Digitalisation can strengthen the resilience of health systems, their efficiency and their overall response to the pandemic.
Towards a digital Europe (infographic)
The EU's response to the COVID-19 pandemic
From the beginning of the pandemic, the EU worked with member states to reinforce national healthcare systems and limit the spread of the virus. The EU coordinated action at EU level based on the best available science and gave recommendations to EU countries on public health measures.
- increasing capacity for production of a safe and effective vaccine through the EU vaccine strategy
- ensuring the provision of medical supplies and personal protective equipment by:
- maintaining the free movement of goods within the internal market
- jointly procuring and creating a common European stockpile under RescEU
- supporting research and innovation for treatments and vaccines
The EU’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic (infographic)
Funding: the EU4Health programme
The EU4Health is the new EU programme in the area of health for the period 2021-2027. The COVID-19 pandemic has a major impact on patients, medical and healthcare staff, and health systems in Europe. This programme is a strong response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also maintains a focus on long-term EU actions in the health field. It aims to improve public health in the EU and make the Union better prepared to cope with future health crises.
The programme invests €5.3 billion, providing funding to eligible entities, health organisations and NGOs from EU countries, or non-EU countries associated to the programme.
The objective of the programme are:
- improve and foster health in the EU
- protect people from serious cross-border threats to health
- make medicines available and affordable
- strengthen health systems, their resilience and resource efficiency
The role of the Council in EU's health policy
Like in other policy areas, the European Council defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities, also in health policy.
In the health area, the Council of the European Union negotiates and adopts EU laws and coordinates policies of the member states. As regards legislation, the Council in most cases acts together with the European Parliament. The Council can also address recommendations on public health to EU member states.
Health issues are discussed in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council configuration (EPSCO).
Last review: 14 April 2026