The common EU response to COVID-19

The EU has set out an unprecedented recovery plan, to kickstart the European economy and support the green and digital transitions, making Europe more resilient and fit for future challenges. Around €2 trillion in current prices is setting Europe on a path to a sustainable and resilient recovery.

With over €800 billion, NextGenerationEU has accelerated the post-pandemic recovery, while at the same time modernising our economies and boosting clean and digital transitions.

Decisive action since 2020, under the EU Vaccines Strategy, paid off. Over 80% of the EU adult population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The European Commission secured up to 4.6 billion doses of vaccines against COVID-19 so far, for European citizens and to help non-EU countries.

Countries, regions and citizens across the EU stretched out a helping hand to neighbours during the pandemic. Read stories of European solidarity at its best.

The EU Digital COVID Certificate facilitated safe travel for citizens across the European Union. It went on to set a global standard. By summer 2023, 2.2 billion EU Digital COVID Certificates had been issued.

As the pandemic showed the importance of coordination among European countries to protect people’s health, the EU has been building a European Health Union to prepare and respond together to future health crises.