Social Policy in the EU

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

New rules to better protect children caught in cross-border parental disputes - guide — 02 August 2022, 22:39 CET

New EU rules on cooperation between judicial authorities on cross-border disputes, such as custody, parental rights and child abduction ('Brussels IIb Regulation') came into force on 1 August 2022. The Regulation updates the existing rules on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial and parental responsibility matters to better protect the needs of the child.

European Accessibility Act - guide — 28 June 2022, 23:20 CET

28 June 2022 marked the deadline for EU Member States to transpose the European Accessibility Act into national law. The Act breaks down barriers for persons with disabilities, one of the EU's obligations as Party to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Act ensures that everyone has access to a range of everyday products and services, including public transport, banking services, computers, TV, e-books, and online shopping.

New PEPP European pension plan takes effect — 22 March 2022, 22:48 CET

A pan-European personal pension product ('PEPP') Regulation started to apply Tuesday, paving the way for a new voluntary EU-wide scheme for people to save for their retirement.

EU-wide rules to combat violence against women — 08 March 2022, 22:39 CET

New EU-wide rules to combat violence against women, proposed Tuesday by the European Commission, will criminalise rape based on lack of consent, female genital mutilation and cyber violence.

Ending gender-based violence — 08 March 2022, 22:25 CET

Actions combating gender-based violence, research and campaigns, statistics on gender-based violence.

New EU-wide rules to stop violence against women and domestic violence — 08 March 2022, 22:29 CET

The European Commission proposed on 8 March EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence.

EU outlines plans for more inclusive, sustainable gig economy — 14 December 2021, 21:34 CET

The EU Commission presented a plan Thursday to tap in to the economic and job-creation potential of the gig economy, which it says can play a key role in a fair and inclusive recovery from the pandemic.

Social Economy Action Plan — 09 December 2021, 22:55 CET

The European Commission has today presented an Action Plan to help the European social economy thrive, tapping into its economic and job-creation potential, as well as its contribution to a fair and inclusive recovery, and the green and digital transitions.

EU strategy to combat rising antisemitism in Europe — 06 October 2021, 22:47 CET

With antisemitism on the rise in Europe and beyond, the European Commission presented Tuesday the first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life — 05 October 2021, 17:46 CET

The European Commission presented on 5 October the first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

Combating antisemitism — 05 October 2021, 17:41 CET

EU activities to combat antisemitism including remembrance, education, and legislation

Employers can ban hijab at work, rules EU Court — 20 July 2021, 22:18 CET

An employer may ban the wearing of the Muslim hijab at work, the EU Court of Justice ruled Thursday, there is a need to present a neutral image towards customers or to prevent social disputes.

Euro-Parliament declares EU an 'LGBTIQ Freedom Zone' — 11 March 2021, 22:00 CET

Responding to increased discrimination and attacks on the LGBTIQ community and backsliding on gay and lesbian rights in Poland and Hungary, MEPs on Thursday declared the EU an 'LGBTIQ Freedom Zone'.

European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan - guide — 04 March 2021, 22:55 CET

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan outlines concrete actions to further implement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights as a joint effort by the Members States and the EU, with an active involvement of social partners and civil society.

Equal pay: pay transparency measures to ensure equal pay for equal work — 04 March 2021, 17:51 CET

The European Commission presented on 4 March a proposal on pay transparency to ensure that women and men in the EU get equal pay for equal work.

Brussels looks to close gap on equal pay — 09 March 2021, 23:28 CET

The Commission has presented a proposal on pay transparency to ensure that women and men in the EU get equal pay for equal work, including a right to know pay levels for workers doing the same work.

EU launches debate on ageing population — 27 January 2021, 17:42 CET

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 — 03 December 2020, 21:54 CET

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 — 26 November 2020, 17:21 CET

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 — 25 November 2020, 16:50 CET

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 — 24 November 2020, 23:20 CET

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' — 27 October 2020, 00:31 CET

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 — 21 October 2020, 23:53 CET

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 — 08 October 2020, 16:29 CET

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 — 08 October 2020, 00:15 CET

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.