European social fairness

Overview

Europe’s unique social model is based on creating prosperity while ensuring that no one gets left behind. We have achieved a lot, but there is still work to do. The crises of recent years have impacted the living standards of many Europeans. A lack of affordable housing, access to essential services, poverty and inequalities of opportunities threaten to harm the bonds that keep us together.

Our societies and economies will continue to evolve. This means we need to focus our efforts on sustaining and improving the quality of life we enjoy today. Over the next five years, the European Commission will work to promote social fairness, strengthen social and regional cohesion, and ensure equal opportunities for all.

What Europeans think

88% of citizens consider a social Europe to be important to them personally

54% believe there will be a more social Europe by 2030

Standard of living seen as the most important social priority for the EU

_^Source:_{^{Eurobarometer on Social Europe}}

Objectives

Deliver opportunities, stability and wellbeing for everyone
Strengthen our social market model
to ensure a just transition for all
Tackle inequality, regional disparities and discrimination

How we will achieve our objectives

Over the next few years, we will work on this by

Promoting social fairness in the modern economy

To ensure social fairness, we will

set out a new action plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights to reach our 2030 social headline targets
support fair wages, good working conditions, training and fair job-to-job transitions through a new quality jobs roadmap
strengthen European social dialogue through a new Pact for European social dialogue
address the root causes of poverty through the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy
prevent and combat social exclusion of children through education, healthcare and essential public services by strengthening the Child Guarantee
tackle the housing crisis by putting forward the first-ever European affordable housing plan and creating a pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing
rolling out the Social Climate Fund to support renovations and energy-efficient housing
tackle the root causes of demographic change
reduce regional disparities so Europeans can live and work in the place they call home

Reuniting our societies and supporting young people

To increase solidarity among citizens, we will

work on safeguarding the rights of minorities
strengthen Erasmus+ to allow more Europeans to gain new skills and develop a better mutual understanding
organise annual Youth Policy Dialogues to ensure young people can use their voice to shape the future of the EU
set up aYouth Advisory Board with young people from all Member States to advise the President of the Commission on youth issues
conduct an EU-wide inquiry on the broader impacts of social media on people’s well-being
address the addictive design of online services
create an action plan against cyberbullying
make it easier for people to benefit from Europe’s rich and diverse cultural heritage

Building a true union of equality

To deliver true equality, we have

updated the strategy for LGBTIQ equality and developed a new anti-racism strategy, so that everyone can thrive and lead, regardless of who they are
developed a roadmap for women’s rights and a new strategy for gender equality

Progress to date

Monitor, follow, and stay updated on the progress of new initiatives, proposed laws and legislative changes under this priority

September 2026
An EU KIDS act to introduce a gradual uptake of social media for children across the EU and help them navigate a safer online world
A fair mobility package to guarantee social rights for workers, regardless of where they choose to live
An affordable housing act to help EU countries and cities keep housing affordable and available
A new strategy to ensure that EU's outermost regions can fully realise their potential
July 2026
Communication on the European Pillar of Social Rights to work further on labour markets and stronger welfare systems
June 2026
A strategy to support and unlock the potential of EU islands and coastal communities
May 2026
Measures to address poverty and the housing crisis

Follow the implementation of the priority

In the spotlight

New EU action to protect house affordability

More than half of people living in cities see housing as an immediate and urgent concern. Rising housing costs and limited availability are putting increasing pressure on households, particularly in areas where demand is high.

The Commission has put forward the affordable housing act that will help EU countries and cities keep housing affordable and available, especially in areas where people face the greatest pressure.

This proposal gives competent authorities greater legal certainty, while leaving them the decision on whether to take action and which measures to adopt.