The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 rights and principles to guide action across the European Union to improve people's lives through better jobs, equal opportunities, quality working conditions and strong social protection.
The Pillar ensures that everyone can benefit from
Implementing the Pillar is a shared effort involving EU institutions, EU countries, social partners, civil society and local authorities.
Creating a Social Europe that protects
The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out a shared vision for a fairer and more inclusive Europe, placing people’s well-being, equal opportunities and decent working and living conditions at the heart of EU action.
It serves as a guiding framework for strengthening social rights across the Union, underlining the EU’s commitment to social progress, cohesion and resilience in a changing world.
The 20 principles are organised into three main chapters, covering the full journey from accessing opportunities to participating in work and society, and ensuring protection and inclusion for all.
Chapter I: Equal opportunities and access to the labour market
Chapter I focuses on skills, education, fairness and support to enter and progress in work.
1. Education, training and life-long learning
Everyone has the right to quality education and life-long learning to gain and update skills and fully participate in society and the labour market.
2. Gender equality
Women and men have the right to equal treatment, equal opportunities and equal pay for work of equal value across all areas of life and work.
3. Equal opportunities
Everyone has the right to equal treatment regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Equal opportunities of under-represented groups must be promoted.
4. Active support to employment
Everyone has the right to tailored support to find or change jobs, including training, re-skilling and job-search assistance. Young people should receive an offer of education, training or work within 4 months of becoming unemployed or leaving education. Long-term unemployed people should receive personalised support.
Chapter II: Fair working conditions
Chapter II ensures decent jobs, fair pay, safe workplaces and balanced working lives.
5. Secure and adaptable employment
Workers have the right to fair treatment, safe transitions between jobs, and protection from insecure or abusive working conditions, regardless of contract type.
6. Wages
Workers have the right to fair and transparent wages that ensure a decent standard of living and prevent in-work poverty.
7. Information about employment conditions and protection in case of dismissals
Workers must be clearly informed about their working conditions. In case of dismissal, they have the right to reasons, notice, and access to fair dispute resolution and redress.
8. Social dialogue and involvement of workers
Workers and employers must be involved in shaping employment and social policies through dialogue, consultation and collective bargaining.
9. Work-life balance
Parents and carers have the right to leave, flexible working arrangements and access to care services to balance work and family life.
10. Healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment and data protection
Workers have the right to safe working conditions, health protection, adapted workplaces and protection of personal data at work.
Chapter III: Social protection and inclusion
Chapter III guarantees access to healthcare, housing, income support and essential services, so everyone can live in dignity.
11. Childcare and support to children
Children have the right to affordable, high-quality education and care, and protection from poverty, with targeted support for those in vulnerable situations.
12. Social protection
Everyone has the right to adequate social protection, including workers and self-employed people, regardless of employment status.
13. Unemployment benefits
Unemployed people have the right to adequate income support and activation measures to help them return to work.
14. Minimum income
Everyone without sufficient resources has the right to adequate minimum income ensuring a life in dignity, with support for labour market inclusion where possible.
15. Old age income and pensions
Retired people have the right to adequate pensions based on contributions and equal opportunities to build pension rights, ensuring dignity in old age.
16. Health care
Everyone has the right to timely access to affordable high-quality healthcare, including prevention and treatment.
17. Inclusion of people with disabilities
People with disabilities have the right to income support, accessible services, and adapted working conditions to ensure full participation in society.
18. Long-term care
Everyone has the right to affordable, high-quality long-term care services, including home and community-based care.
19. Housing and assistance for the homeless
Everyone in need has the right to access social housing or housing support. Vulnerable people have the right to appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction. Homeless people must receive adequate shelter and support for social inclusion.
20. Access to essential services
Everyone has the right to access essential services such as water, energy, transport, financial services and digital communications, with support for those in need.
A renewed commitment to a future-ready social Europe
Ahead of the Pillar’s 10th anniversary, it remains the EU’s social shield and compass for fairness in an age of fast-transformation and challenge. The best tool for a Europe that protects and empowers citizens.
2021 European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan turns the principles into concrete actions. It sets three ambitious EU-wide targets to be achieved by 2030.
- EmploymentAt least78.00%of people aged 20-64 should be in employment
- TrainingAt least60.00%of adults should participate in training annually
- Reducing povertyAt least15.00millionless people should be at risk of poverty or social exclusion
Where we stand
- EmploymentAround 76.00%of people aged 20–64 were in employment in 2026
- TrainingAround40.00%of adults participated in learning activities in 2022
- Reducing povertyAround3.50millionfewer people at risk of poverty and social inclusion between 2019-2025
