In a written answer to a parliamentary question by Renew MEPs Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová and Irena Joveva, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Olivér Várhelyi detailed the Commission's approach to addressing healthcare workforce shortages through existing and future EU funding programmes, while stressing that Member States retain primary responsibility for health service management under Article 168(7) TFEU.
The answer, submitted on behalf of the Commission, lists concrete initiatives already funded under EU4Health, including the Joint Action Heroes on health workforce planning, digital skills projects, the Nursing Action, and a mental health survey. Erasmus+ supports the BeWell action, Horizon Europe funds research under Cluster Health, and the European Social Fund+ backs training and reskilling. Member States have allocated EUR 42.7 billion to healthcare in their national recovery and resilience plans, which also support the healthcare workforce.
On accountability, Várhelyi noted that the European Semester already highlights health workforce challenges in country reports for all Member States and, in several cases, through country-specific recommendations. This provides a framework for tracking progress without imposing new reporting burdens.
Looking ahead, the Commission's proposal for the next multiannual financial framework includes funding opportunities for strengthening the health workforce, such as specific activities listed in Article 37(1)(b) of the proposed European Competitiveness Fund. Additionally, the proposal on national and regional partnership plans envisions that Member States could use these plans to support health investments addressing challenges identified in the European Semester.
The answer is largely declarative, reiterating existing commitments rather than announcing new numerical targets or deadlines. It signals a continuation of current policy: EU funding complements national efforts, but the Commission does not plan to centralise workforce planning or mandate specific spending levels. The European Semester remains the primary tool for monitoring and encouraging Member State action.
The Commission favours a supportive, co-financing role, respecting national sovereignty while using EU funds to incentivise investment in workforce planning, digital skills, and mental health. The cleavage is between EU-level coordination and national autonomy, with the Commission leaning towards the latter.
The next MFF negotiations will determine the scale of future health workforce funding. Member States will be expected to address health workforce challenges in their national and regional partnership plans, with the European Semester providing ongoing oversight.