The Commission is proposing new measures to tackle poverty and improve the lives of people with disabilities

The European Commission has presented an ambitious social plan aimed at helping to eradicate poverty and promote the rights of people with disabilities across the EU. The package includes thefirst European strategy against poverty—the Commission’s plan to help eradicate poverty in the EU by 2050—; a proposal for a Council Recommendation oncombating housing exclusion; and two communications: one on breaking the cycle ofchild poverty– strengthening the European Child Guarantee – and another on reinforcing the strategy for therights of people with disabilities until 2030.

With 52% of Europeans citing the cost of living as their main concern, the EU faces three urgent challenges: a housing crisis (the lack of affordable housing is considered an immediate and urgent problem by 40% of citizens, and 1 million people are homeless); barriers to participation in a rapidly changing labour market; and poverty, which affects 1 in 5 Europeans and 1 in 4 children.

Furthermore, many people in situations of socio-economic vulnerability are also exposed to discrimination and stigma. Efforts must be stepped up to ensure the protection of their rights. This includes the rights of people with disabilities, which must be fully recognised in all areas of life.

The President of the European Commission, Ursulavon der Leyen, stated:“Poverty and exclusion are challenges that we can and must overcome. Today we are presenting a strategy to prevent and reduce poverty. We are taking decisive action with a strengthened Child Guarantee, better prevention of homelessness and the full inclusion of people with disabilities. Dignity, opportunity and equality. These are fundamental values in the Europe we are building.”

A comprehensive approach to eradicating poverty

The EU’s anti-poverty strategy sets out a clear path towards achieving the EU’s target set out inthe European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan,which is to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, as well asto help eradicate poverty by 2050.

It comprises three priorities: quality jobs for all, as a quality job is the primary route out of poverty for those who are able to work; effective access to quality services and adequate financial support; and coordinated actionagainst poverty.

The strategy sets out a series of key actions to achieve these priorities. Tobreak the cycle of poverty across all age groups, the Commission will, for example, consult the social partners on a possible new legal instrument for the integration of people excluded from the labour market. The strategy also sets out measures to support older people through adequate pensions. Furthermore, it emphasises the need tojoin forces with national, regional and local governments, businesses and civil societyto combat poverty, including through the creation of ananti-poverty coalitionlater this year and a new structured dialogue to consult people living in poverty on relevant policies.

Breaking the cycle of child poverty: strengthening the European Child Guarantee

In the EU, children are at greater risk of poverty or social exclusion than adults, and there has been no significant decline in child poverty over the last five years.

The European Child Guarantee is the EU’s main instrument for supporting children in need, in particular through free and effective access to services such as early childhood education, healthcare and school meals. The Commission has proposed strengthening this guarantee to address the social emergency of persistent child poverty and the needs of vulnerable children. The aim is to ensurefamilies have access to quality jobs, childcare services and robust safety nets,as well as to improve children’s access tomentoring programmes and mental health care. In addition, the Commission will launch a pilot programme with Member States for the European Child Guarantee Card, to facilitate access to services and comprehensive support for children in need. It is also essential to protect children fromonline and offline threats, including exploitation and abuse.

Tackling housing exclusion

Housing is a fundamental right; however, house prices have soared by 60% since 2013 and Europeans face growing obstacles to accessing decent housing. The Council Recommendation on housing exclusion emphasises long-term solutions and prevention to avoid exclusion and homelessness. It also promotes the construction of more social and affordable housing and adopts a people-centred approach to help people find a place to call home. It is one of the outcomes ofthefirstEuropean Affordable Housing Plan,which the Commission presented in December 2025 to comprehensively address the housing crisis affecting millions of Europeans. 

Promoting accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

With90 million people— more than one in five Europeans — living with a disability, full inclusion is essential both to ensure respect for rights and to boost the European economy and democracy. However, barriers remain: only 55% are in employment, compared to 77% of people without disabilities;1.4 million people with disabilities still live in institutions; and one in three is at risk of poverty, almost double the EU average.

To turn rights into reality, the Commission will step up its efforts and implementation. Our actions include rolling out the European Disability Card and the Parking Card across the EU, launching an Alliance for Independent Living to replace institutions with community-based support services, improving transport accessibility, and investing in assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence tools.

Next steps

The Commission will support all stakeholders in implementing the EU strategy against poverty and the strengthened European Child Guarantee. Member States will discuss the Commission’s proposal for a Council Recommendation on combating housing exclusion with a view to its adoption by the Council. The Commission will also continue to support Member States in the full and effective implementation of existing disability legislation, whilst presenting an updated monitoring framework for the Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030.

Background

The EU uses a composite indicator to measure the risk of poverty or social exclusion, which combines three factors: relative income poverty, severe material and social deprivation, and very low work intensity.

In 2021, theAction Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rightsannounced a key EU target for poverty reduction: to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030. Of these, at least 5 million should be children.

The EU’s anti-poverty strategy and the strengthening of the European Child Guarantee were announced in the2024–2029 policy guidelines. In the2025 State of the European Union address, Commission President Ursulavon der Leyenannounced the EU’s goal of eradicating poverty by 2050. Astudyby the Commission’s Joint Research Centre helped shape the strategy, showing that an additional 0.25% of the EU’s GDP could help lift 18 million people out of poverty. In addition, the Commission alsosurveyed nearly 42,000 children aged between 8 and 17 from all EU countries to gather their views on poverty and social inclusion.

Today’s Communication on strengtheningthe Disability Rights Strategyuntil 2030 represents a renewed commitment by the Commission to drive forward the implementation of theEU Disability Strategy 2021–2030, in response to the recommendations of the United Nations, as well as calls from people with disabilities and their representative organisations, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee for greater implementation and renewed action. It forms part ofthe European Union’s broader objectives on equality.

More information: European Commission.