Promoting our European way of lifeProtecting our citizens and our values About A Europe that protects must also stand up for justice and for the EU’s core values.Threats to the rule of law challenge the legal, political and economic basis of our Union. President von der Leyen’s vision for a Union of equality, tolerance and social fairness is built upon the rule of law.The Commission will launch a comprehensive European Rule of Law Mechanism under which it is to report every year, objectively, on the condition of the rule of law across the Union.Strong borders, modernisation of the EU’s asylum system and cooperation with partner countries are important to achieve a fresh start on migration. Highlight European Health Union: acting together for people’s health22 May 2024 – The Commission has adopted a Communication on the European Health Union, highlighting the progress made in EU health policy over the last four years. Built on the experience of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Health Union emerged in November 2020 to to better prevent, prepare and respond to shared health challenges whilst building more resilient health systems for every EU citizen. It is backed by substantial funding from the EU4Health programme, which quickly turned its goals into tangible results.Read more Key figures €4 billionfor implementing Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan€5.5 billionin savings for the EU over 10 years from better access and exchange of health data3.5 million peoplecrossing between Schengen States every day What we are working on European Health UnionProtecting the health of Europeans and collectively responding to cross-border health crisesMigration and asylumManaging migration for the long term, while providing clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in the EUStrategy on the future of SchengenMaking the EU's free travel space stronger and more resilientEurope’s Beating Cancer PlanTurning the tide against cancer through cancer prevention, early detection and access to treatmentEuropean Health Data SpaceMaking health data work for citizens and for scienceEU agenda to tackle organised crime and on counter-terrorismCombatting cross-border crime and terrorism is a common European responsibility where EU cooperation is essentialEuropean Security UnionProtecting our citizens and addressing security challenges facing our society and our democracyEU strategy on combatting antisemitismPreventing antisemitism, protecting and fostering Jewish life, and promoting research, education and Holocaust remembranceEuropean Care StrategyEnsuring affordable and accessible care services and improving the situation of both care receivers and carers Timeline 12 June 2024The Commission adopts the Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum24 April 2024The Commission launches the Critical Medicines Alliance to help prevent and address shortages of critical medicines23 April 2024The Commission issues recommendations to better protect children from violence10 April 2024The European Parliament approves the Pact on Migration and Asylum, a package of major reforms to the EU’s asylum and migration rules30 March 2024Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen area27 March 2024Presentation of three initiatives to advance transnational cooperation between higher education institutions, to create a European degree15 March 2024Political agreement on European Health Data Space14 March 2024Political agreement on new and stronger rules for the import, export and transit of firearms12 March 2024The Commission adopts a Communication taking stock of the achievements in the area of migration and asylum over the last four years7 March 2024New migration partnership with Mauritania1 March 2024Political agreement on Advance Passenger Information to facilitate border management and strengthen security6 February 2024Political agreement on new rules for the Schengen Borders Code6 February 2024The Commission adopts a proposal to update the criminal law rules on child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation31 January 2024Commission puts forward new measures on vaccine-preventable cancers under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan24 January 2024The Commission launches the European Ports Alliance Public Private Partnership to fight organised crime and drug trafficking23 January 2024Political agreement on stronger rules to fight trafficking in human beings20 December 2023Political agreement reached on the Pact on migration and asylum20 December 2023Political agreement on revised rules for a combined work and residence permit in the EU29 November 2023The Commission proposes new rules to improve passenger rights28 November 2023The Commission launches a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling20 November 2023Political agreement on automated data exchange for police cooperation15 November 2023The Commission proposes new measures on skills and talent to help address critical labour shortages15 November 2023The Commission presents the Skills and Talent Mobility package which includes a series of new initiatives to attract talent from outside the EU24 October 2023The Commission adopts a set of actions to prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU.18 October 2023The Commission presents EU Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean route18 October 2023Adoption of an EU Roadmap with concrete and targeted actions to step up the fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks, building on the legislative and operational initiatives put forward so far18 October 2023The Commission proposes to strengthen the EU's visa policy with a more robust Visa Suspension Mechanism13 June 2023Adoption by the Council of the Recommendation to strengthen EU action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was presented as part of the revision of pharmaceutical legislation7 June 2023Presentation of a New comprehensive approach on mental health, to put mental health on par with physical health and to ensure a cross-sectoral approach to mental health issues26 April 2023Commission proposes pharmaceuticals reform for more accessible, affordable and innovative medicines18 April 2023The Commission presents a Cybersecurity Skills Academy to ensure a more coordinated approach towards closing the cybersecurity talent gap18 April 2023New proposals to strengthen cybersecurity capacities in the EU14 March 2023The Commission adopts new initiatives to strengthen European integrated border management and expedite returns7 March 2023Security Union: The renewed Schengen Information Systems enters into operation13 December 2022Commission proposes new rules on Advance Passenger Information18 November 2022Building the European Education Area: Progress made on EU-level education targets, challenges remain on equity and teachers' shortages16 November 2022Making Schengen stronger: Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are ready to fully participate in the Schengen area20 September 2022A new EU approach on cancer detection19 September 2022Celebrating 35 years of the Erasmus programme15 September 2022New EU cybersecurity rules ensure more secure hardware and software products7 September 2022European Care Strategy25 May 2022Proposal of rules on the violation of restrictive measures and on the freezing and confiscating of assets of persons violating restrictive measures and other criminals11 May 2022Proposal of new EU legislation to prevent and combat child sex abuse online3 May 2022Launch of the European Health Data Space27 April 2022Digitalisation of visa procedures18 January 2022Higher education: making EU's universities ready for the future through deeper transnational cooperation1 January 2022European Year of Youth14 December 2021Schengen: New rules to make the area without internal border controls more resilient10 December 2021European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability9 December 2021Proposal to list hate speech and hate crime as EU crimes5 October 2021First-ever EU Strategy on combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life29 September 2021Adoption of the communication on European missionsRenewed EU action plan against migrant smuggling (2021-2025)16 September 2021Launch of the European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)20 July 20212021 Rule of Law Report1 July 2021EU Digital COVID Certificate enters into application2 June 2021Presentation of the new Schengen Strategy1 June 2021Launch of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office27 April 2021New EU Strategy on voluntary return and reintegration14 April 2021Presentation of the EU strategy to tackle organised crime and of a new strategy on combatting trafficking in human beings17 February 2021Proposition for the HERA incubator3 February 2021Europe’s beating cancer plan21 December 2020The Commission authorises the first safe and effective vaccine against COVID-1925 November 2020Pharmaceutical strategy for Europe24 November 2020Action plan on integration and inclusion 2021-202711 November 2020First steps towards building the European Health Union7 October 2020New plan to support Roma in the EU for 2020-203030 September 20202020 Rule of Law Report23 September 2020New Pact on Migration and Asylum18 September 2020The first ever EU anti-racism action plan for 2020-202524 July 2020EU Security Union StrategyEU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse1 July 2020European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience24 June 2020EU strategy on victims’ rights for 2020-202517 June 2020EU vaccine strategyShow 70 more items15 April 2020European roadmap setting common lifting of containment measures Featured EU Mission: Cancer – Explore the European Research and Innovation Exhibition 2022EU Mission: Cancer – Explore the European Research and Innovation Exhibition 2022There is no health without mental healthThere is no health without mental healthClose Latest 17 September 2024Questions and Answers on the updated Recommendation on smoke-free environments *17 September 2024Commission recommends stronger measures on smoke-free environments to better protect public health *28 June 2024New funding for additional European Universities alliances will boost cooperation in higher education21 June 2024EU steps up the fight against vaccine-preventable cancers under Europe's Beating Cancer PlanSee all Follow the latest news and get involvedEU JusticeEU Home AffairsEU Health EU SportEuropean Youth EUEuropean Youth EUEuropean Youth EUOther social networks Policy areasEducation and trainingSupporting education in Europe through various initiatives and offering a forum for cooperation in areas such as school policy, vocational training, higher education and adult learningMental healthDeveloping a comprehensive approach to mental health and addressing challenges, through the Healthier Together Initiative and implementation of high-impact actions, from proactive prevention to social inclusionFundamental rightsFighting discrimination and promoting gender equality, particularly by safeguarding the rule of law and fundamental rightsJudicial cooperationTackling crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling and corruption; creating a European area of justice by linking the different national legal systemsRule of lawRule of law guarantees fundamental rights and values, allows the application of EU law, and supports an investment-friendly business environmentProtecting children against sexual abuse The fight against child sexual abuse is a priority for the EU, with a corresponding EU strategy for the period 2020-2025 in place which sets out a comprehensive response to the growing offline and online threats, by improving prevention, investigation, and assistance to victims
A Europe that protects must also stand up for justice and for the EU’s core values.Threats to the rule of law challenge the legal, political and economic basis of our Union. President von der Leyen’s vision for a Union of equality, tolerance and social fairness is built upon the rule of law.The Commission will launch a comprehensive European Rule of Law Mechanism under which it is to report every year, objectively, on the condition of the rule of law across the Union.Strong borders, modernisation of the EU’s asylum system and cooperation with partner countries are important to achieve a fresh start on migration.
European Health Union: acting together for people’s health22 May 2024 – The Commission has adopted a Communication on the European Health Union, highlighting the progress made in EU health policy over the last four years. Built on the experience of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Health Union emerged in November 2020 to to better prevent, prepare and respond to shared health challenges whilst building more resilient health systems for every EU citizen. It is backed by substantial funding from the EU4Health programme, which quickly turned its goals into tangible results.Read more
European Health UnionProtecting the health of Europeans and collectively responding to cross-border health crises
Migration and asylumManaging migration for the long term, while providing clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in the EU
Europe’s Beating Cancer PlanTurning the tide against cancer through cancer prevention, early detection and access to treatment
EU agenda to tackle organised crime and on counter-terrorismCombatting cross-border crime and terrorism is a common European responsibility where EU cooperation is essential
European Security UnionProtecting our citizens and addressing security challenges facing our society and our democracy
EU strategy on combatting antisemitismPreventing antisemitism, protecting and fostering Jewish life, and promoting research, education and Holocaust remembrance
European Care StrategyEnsuring affordable and accessible care services and improving the situation of both care receivers and carers
17 September 2024Commission recommends stronger measures on smoke-free environments to better protect public health *
28 June 2024New funding for additional European Universities alliances will boost cooperation in higher education
21 June 2024EU steps up the fight against vaccine-preventable cancers under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan
Education and trainingSupporting education in Europe through various initiatives and offering a forum for cooperation in areas such as school policy, vocational training, higher education and adult learning
Mental healthDeveloping a comprehensive approach to mental health and addressing challenges, through the Healthier Together Initiative and implementation of high-impact actions, from proactive prevention to social inclusion
Fundamental rightsFighting discrimination and promoting gender equality, particularly by safeguarding the rule of law and fundamental rights
Judicial cooperationTackling crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling and corruption; creating a European area of justice by linking the different national legal systems
Rule of lawRule of law guarantees fundamental rights and values, allows the application of EU law, and supports an investment-friendly business environment
Protecting children against sexual abuse The fight against child sexual abuse is a priority for the EU, with a corresponding EU strategy for the period 2020-2025 in place which sets out a comprehensive response to the growing offline and online threats, by improving prevention, investigation, and assistance to victims
