Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by target group – category: Citizens
Eurofound has identified 35 measures for this target group. Most of these measures fall into the category Measures to prevent social hardship (49%).
Income protection beyond short-time work |
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07 September 2022 |
Financial support for substitute child care providers
Slovakia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 July 2020 |
Social support for artists, authors, technicians and other arts professionals
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
03 July 2020 |
A lump sum payment for children on top of child benefit
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
12 April 2020 Updated |
COVID-19: Unemployed can take seasonal work in agriculture without loss of benefits
Bulgaria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
08 April 2020 Updated |
Extraordinary extension of unemployment benefit and social benefit
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Measures to prevent social hardship |
12 September 2022 |
One-time support for vulnerable groups’ energy bills
Slovenia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
30 August 2022 |
Payment of the 13th pension
Slovakia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
23 August 2022 |
Temporary increase in housing allowance to cover high electricity costs
Norway, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 July 2020 |
Additional financial support for people in precarious situations
Belgium, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
03 July 2020 Updated |
Increasing social assistance for low-income households
Lithuania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
05 June 2020 |
New minimum living income introduced
Spain, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 June 2022 |
Extraordinary and exceptional support to domestic consumers Beneficiaries of the Electricity Social Tariff in the Acquisition of Bottled Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 June 2022 Updated |
One-time inflation compensation payment for people in need
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
19 May 2022 |
Support for vulnerable groups to cope with increasing costs
Estonia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 May 2022 |
One-time subsidy for energy bills of low-income households
Slovenia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 May 2022 Updated |
Material need benefits for refugees from Ukraine
Slovakia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 May 2022 |
Ad-hoc financial support for vulnerable groups
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
12 May 2022 |
One-time payment for receivers of unemployment and social assistance and unemployment benefits
Germany, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
11 May 2022 |
Food vouchers for vulnerable citizens
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
10 May 2022 Updated |
Extra energy allowance for lower incomes
Netherlands, Other initiatives or policies |
09 May 2022 |
Housing supplement for low income households extended to Ukrainian refugees
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 May 2022 |
Allowance to cover elevated monthly housing costs for low-income households
Czechia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery |
11 October 2021 |
Training and employment for youth and people with a guaranteed minimum income
Romania, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
30 September 2022 |
Support package for families with children
Finland, Other initiatives or policies |
19 September 2022 |
Subsidy to replace old electric appliances
Greece, Other initiatives or policies |
15 September 2022 |
Tax reform to abolish the "cold progression" and adjustment of social benefits to inflation
Austria, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
14 September 2022 |
One-time €200 bonus against inflation
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
14 September 2022 |
Early increase of social benefits
France, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
13 September 2022 |
Extraordinary financial support for citizens with low and medium income
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
09 September 2022 |
Financial support for families and persons with disabilities
Cyprus, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
04 September 2022 |
Material need benefit increase
Slovakia, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
01 June 2022 |
Monthly subsidy for families to counter inflation
Portugal, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
18 May 2022 |
One-off subsidy for low-income employees
Italy, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
16 May 2022 |
Increase in social benefits to mitigate effects of increased cost of living
Finland, Legislations or other statutory regulations |
29 April 2022 |
Distribution of one-time bonus and tax refund cheques
Malta, Other initiatives or policies |
12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
Policies to support EU companies affected by the war in Ukraine
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
Article16 June 2022
In the second pandemic year 2021, access to one's place of work was increasingly dependent on providing proof of either having been tested, vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in several countries.
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.