Better conditions and more targeted recruiting in the healthcare sector.

As early as 2022, there has already been a shortage of around 1.2 million doctors, nurses and midwives in Europe – an alarming figure according to the new Health at a Glance Report. The report also shows that more than a third of doctors in the European Union (EU) will retire by 2030. The labour shortage and demographic trends are calling for urgent action. This is why the topic was the focus of the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg last month, where various solutions were presented.

Labour shortage puts the social model at risk

The new Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu emphasised the core significance of the health sector for the EU and the well-being of its citizens. Healthcare systems are an essential part of the EU social model, but labour shortages are imperilling its sustainability. Mînzatu emphasised the need for stronger measures to better coordinate further action between the EU and the Member States. She focuses on two key initiatives: the Union of Skills and a Quality Jobs Roadmap, which targets at strengthening the healthcare sector (expected in Q4 2025).

Silent crisis since the end of COVID-19

Parliamentarians welcome the debate on the shortage of both skilled and unskilled labour in the healthcare sector. Many MPs criticise the fact that the issue has been pushed into the background once the COVID-19 pandemic ended. German MEPs Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE) and Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, DE) emphasised that it was not just about access to the labour market, but also about fair working conditions, appropriate pay and avoidance of overwork. But where exactly are the biggest areas of action?

Making health­care profes­sions more attrac­tive

Mînzatu pointed out six areas of EU action that define the political framework. Firstly, the EU must promote the labour market participation of underrepresented groups, especially women. This is to be achieved, among other things, through the gender equality strategy announced for 2026. Secondly, further training and reskilling in the health and long-term care sector are crucial to counteracting the shortage of skilled labour. The new Commission will present a "Quality Jobs Roadmap" in cooperation with the social partners. This is intended to promote fair wages, good working conditions, further training and fair job transitions for employees and the self-employed. Thirdly, the framework conditions, for example through the existing directive on adequate minimum wages, the European Care Strategy and the EU Strategic Framework for Occupational Health and Safety 2021-2027, should be made more attractive in order to attract more people to the profession.

Union of Skills: qual­i­fi­ca­tion and fair mobility

Another aim is to facilitate workforce mobility within the EU in order to relieve regions with a severe shortage of doctors. The "Union of Skills" presented on 5 March is intended to help with a new initiative for the recognition of qualifications. The EU also wants to improve data collection and forecasts on qualifications and the labour market in order to develop more targeted measures. Finally, the targeted recruitment of international specialists through talent partnerships and an EU-wide talent pool should alleviate the shortage of skilled labour in the long term.