Social Policy in the EU

News and information about the European Union's social policies.

EU launches debate on ageing population

The European Commission presented Wednesday a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe's ageing society, inviting the public to express its views.

EU steps up efforts to tackle gender pay gap

The EU Council called on the Commission and EU member states Thursday to make greater efforts to reduce the gender pay gap and gender gaps in care, and to combat gender stereotypes.

EU gender equality plan puts women's rights at heart of global recovery

The EU executive and its foreign affairs arm put forward ambitious plans Wednesday to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through all external action of the European Union.

Brussels outlines plan for inclusion of migrants

A new plan on Integration and Inclusion for 2021-2027, unveiled by the EU Commission Tuesday, addresses barriers that hinder participation and inclusion of people with a migrant background in European society.

Action plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027

The European Commission presented on 24 November an action plan on Integration and Inclusion for the period 2021-2027.

Strong take-up of EUR 17 bn inaugural EU 'social bonds'

There was strong investor interest in the EUR 17 billion inaugural 'social bonds' issued Wednesday under the EU's 'SURE' instrument, set up to help protect jobs and keep people in work over the pandemic.

EU SURE social bonds first issue

The European Commission issued a EUR 17 billion inaugural social bond on 21 October under the EU SURE instrument to help protect jobs and keep people in work.

EU to issue EUR 100bn social bonds to protect jobs

The EU Commission announced Wednesday that it will issue its forthcoming SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion - designed to help protect jobs and keep people in work through the pandemic - as social bonds.

Commission to issue EU SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion as social bonds

The European Commission announced on 7 October that it will issue its forthcoming EU SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion as social bonds.

Record levels of cocaine in Europe: EU drugs agency

Increase in cocaine availability with seizures at a record high, a near doubling of heroin seizures and high availability of high purity drugs are the stand-out points of the European Drug Report published Tuesday.

Women4Cyber Registry

Women4Cyber Registry was created to identify and build the community of women professionals in the field of cybersecurity. It gathers women, with different profiles and could be a reference point for expert groups, event organisers, media, as well as collaboration and potentially business opportunities. The aim of this Registry is to encourage women professionals to come forward, become more active in the field and raise their own visibility as well as promote the Women4Cyber initiatives.

Commission sets out agenda for gender equality

A new Gender Equality Strategy, outlined Thursday by the EU Commission, sets out key actions for the next 5 years and commits the executive to include an equality perspective in all EU policy areas.

European Institute for Gender Equality

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is an autonomous body of the European Union, established to contribute to and strengthen the promotion of gender equality, including gender mainstreaming in all EU policies and the resulting national policies, and the fight against discrimination based on sex, as well as to raise EU citizens’ awareness of gender equality.

Gender Equality Strategy - background guide

The European Commission presented on 5 February its strategy for equality between women and men in Europe.

EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls

Today in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the European Union and the United Nations are hosting a high level event on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative - inviting all countries, leaders, civil society representatives and local ambassadors to join the movement and take action to end violence against women and girls.

EU work-life balance directive comes into force

An EU Directive on work-life balance, which came into force Thursday, aims to increase the participation of women in the labour market and the take-up of parental leave and flexible working arrangements.

Cocaine seizures in Europe hit all-time high: EU drugs report

Seizures of cocaine are at record levels in Europe, with signs of an increase in the drug's availability, according to the European Drug Report released by the EU's drugs agency on Thursday.

Final approval for new EU rules to reconcile work and family life

New rules on paternity leave and non-transferable parental leave, given final approval by MEPs on Thursday, strengthen the role of a father and boost women’s representation in the workplace.

'Fairer rules' on social security agreed for workers abroad

The EU institutions came to a provisional agreement Wednesday on new rules to ensure 'fair and clear' access to social security benefits for EU workers who have moved to a different EU country.

Drug use increase in European cities: wastewater report

The latest findings from the largest European project in the emerging science of wastewater analysis were presented Thursday by the Europe-wide SCORE group, in association with the EU drugs agency.

2019 Gender Equality report

On the occasion of this year's International Women's Day, the European Commission published its 2019 report on equality between women and men in the EU.

Red tape cut for those who move to another EU Member State

From 16 February, bureaucratic procedures for citizens who need to present a public document to get married or start a job in the country they live in have been cut across the European Union.

Family law

Family law is the competence of EU countries, and EU rules apply only in cross-border cases. Overview of family matters - Divorce and separation - Children's wellbeing - Property of international couples (marriages and registered partnerships) - Successions and wills - Civil status documents

New EU property regime for international couples in force

New EU regulations establishing clear rules applicable to property regimes for international married couples or registered partnerships in cases of divorce or death apply as of Tuesday.

EU agrees better work-life balance for parents and carers

The EU institutions reached a provisional agreement Friday on a proposal to improve access for working parents to work-life balance arrangements such as leaves and flexible working arrangements.