In 2024, long-term care remained a quiet but pressing reality for millions across Europe. According to recent data, 8.5% of people in the European Union lived in households
For those families, professional homecare services often make the difference between independence and institutional care. Yet access to these services is far from universal. Across the EU, just 28.3% of people living in households with long-term care needs actually received professional homecare support. That means more than two-thirds rely on informal care, typically provided by relatives—often without training, pay, or sufficient support.
The divide between countries is striking. In Northern and Western Europe, homecare systems are more developed and widely used. Denmark leads the way, with 63.5% of those in need receiving professional care at home. Cyprus (62.9%) and Belgium (52.9%) also report high reliance on formal services, reflecting stronger public investment and structured care systems.
By contrast, access remains limited in several Central and Eastern European countries. Estonia (7.6%), Hungary (8.3%), and Poland (8.5%) report the lowest shares of professional homecare use. In these countries, families often carry the bulk of caregiving responsibilities, with formal services either less available, less affordable, or less integrated into the healthcare system.
Homecare in the EU: a system under pressure
Europe’s ageing population is accelerating demand for long-term care, putting pressure on both public systems and families. Homecare services—ranging from basic daily assistance to skilled nursing—are increasingly seen as a sustainable alternative to hospital or residential care. They allow people to remain in familiar surroundings while reducing strain on healthcare facilities.
However, the structure of homecare varies widely across EU countries:
- Nordic countries (like Denmark and Sweden) typically offer publicly funded, universal homecare services with strong local government involvement.
- Western Europe (such as Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands) combines public funding with private providers, often supported by insurance systems.
- Southern Europe relies more heavily on family care, sometimes supplemented by migrant care workers in informal arrangements.
- Central and Eastern Europe is still developing formal homecare systems, with limited coverage and lower public spending.
The road ahead
As Europe continues to age, the gap between need and access to professional homecare is likely to widen unless significant reforms are introduced. Expanding access, improving workforce conditions, and investing in community-based care will be key challenges for policymakers.
For now, the data paints a clear picture: where you live in the EU still largely determines whether you receive professional care at home—or rely on family to fill the gap. Photo by Etan J. Tal, Wikimedia commons.