Health crises, population ageing, rising expectations for high-quality care, workforce shortages and rapid technological innovation are placing increasing pressure on the sustainability, resilience, and performance of health systems across the European Union.
These trends underscore the need for comprehensive structural reforms to strengthen public health capacity, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability, while safeguarding equitable access to high-quality, people-centred services.
In line with the priorities of the European Commission for 2024–2029—particularly strengthening preparedness for cross-border health threats, addressing workforce shortages, advancing digital health, and promoting preventive care—EU Member States are advancing reforms through their national health programmes, policies, and strategies. These reforms increasingly focus on integrated care models, health system digitalisation, data interoperability, and the adoption of innovative technologies, alongside measures to address demographic change and health inequalities.
Consistent with both EU and national priorities, including the European Semester cycle, the TSI aims to support sustainable investment in health infrastructure, workforce development, and digital transformation. Ultimately, the objective is to ensure that, both in times of crisis and stability, health systems across the EU remain robust, accessible, and capable of delivering high-quality care to all.
Enhancing the resilience and sustainability of health systems
Enhancing the resilience and sustainability of health systems is a key objective of reforms supported by the European Commission under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) Regulation. Since 2021, projects have focused on digital health, preventive care including cancer, integrated and long-term care, workforce challenges, mental health, health technology assessment, and efficient healthcare spending. In addition, the Commission assisted Member States in promoting data-driven governance, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices to ensure resilient, efficient, and accessible health systems.
EXAMPLES OF SUPPORT AREAS
- Digitalisation and AI
- Primary & integrated care
- Hospital & Emergency care
- HSPA, governance and quality of care
- Health workforce
- Public Health & Prevention, including cancer & mental health
- Health financing
- Long term care
The European Commission aimed to enhance Sweden's health data management in line with EU priorities like Digital Transformation.
This Commission supports the Ministry of Health of Slovenia to develop an eHealth strategy and an investment plan that will outline the objectives and priorities for the development of eHealth in Slovenia for the period 2022-2027.
The project focuses on integrated primary care encompassing coordination, collaboration, and governance both within the primary care, but also beyond – with social services. The Beneficiary of the project is the Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia, and it is funded by the European Union via Technical Support Instrument.
The European Commission support the Italian Ministry of health and Ministry of Labour and Social Policies in their efforts to implement reforms to further health and social care integration, focusing on developing an integrated home care cycle.
The European Commission supported the establishment a comprehensive Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) across Croatia, enhancing the efficiency and availability of emergency medical care, particularly in remote and isolated areas.
The European Commission helped develop a National Quality of Care and Patient Safety Strategy and Action Plan for Greece, including relevant indicators and tools for monitoring and assessing patient safety.
The European Commission helped develop a National Quality of Care and Patient Safety Strategy and Action Plan for Greece, including relevant indicators and tools for monitoring and assessing patient safety.
The European Commission is supporting Germany’s efforts to design a framework for the wider rollout of genomics in healthcare service delivery, specifically in cancer and rare diseases.
The ICCCS project aimed to enhance cancer care coordination and screening in Latvia and Slovakia, funded by the EU's Technical Support Instrument. The general objective of the ICCCS project was to propose a strategic plan and a roadmap tailored to the needs and expectations of Latvia and Slovakia regarding improving cancer care coordination, cancer screening and reduction of cancer mortality in both countries.
This multi-country technical support project aims at improving the provision of mental health, wellbeing and psychosocial support to children and young people. It will be implemented in Spain (concretely in Andalusia), Cyprus, Italy and Slovenia.
The European Commission aimed to support the Department of Health in strengthening health workforce planning in Ireland, through building technical capacity and providing the necessary tools and procedures, including a health workforce model.
The Italian health system has started a digital transformation process to achieve homogenous improvement, since Italian Regions, which are responsible for the delivery of health services, are operating at different paces.
The European Commission aimed to improve financial management in the NHS through a standardized management accounting system.
The European Commission aimed to assist the French Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) in implementing the EU regulation 2021/2282 on health technology assessment.
The Commission supports the Greek Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs in reforming its long-term care sector, with the purpose of adequately introducing a new person-centred approach in relation to quality long-term care services and to improve access to quality long-term care services at home and at community level.
Contact details
Head of Unit
KEES VAN DUIN
Main contact point for applying for the Technical Support Instrument
SG-REFORM-TSI
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (SG-REFORM-TSI[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Further details on the work related to health and long term care
SG-REFORM-A5ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (SG-REFORM-A5[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
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