Health Forum Gastein 2026

About European Health Forum Gastein 2026

Founded in 1998 and now running for over 25 years, the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) is widely regarded as the major European health policy event — a platform where patients, health professionals, policymakers, scientists, and academics gather annually in the Alpine setting of the Gastein Valley, Austria. The 2026 edition runs under the theme "Health for a stronger European Union – high time for action!", positioning health investment as a strategic pillar of EU resilience and unity as negotiations continue on the EU's next financial framework. The forum is co-organized with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, WHO Europe, and the European Commission.

What to expect

Across four days, EHFG runs concurrent sessions across four thematic tracks — delivering health for all, driving health system innovation and reform, preparing for a changing world, and plenary sessions — alongside more than 25 labeled sessions covering topics from antimicrobial resistance and rare diseases to mental health, cancer policy, immunization, health security, and pharmaceutical reform. The format blends formal policy dialogue with the "ongoing network" atmosphere the forum is known for, including welcome and networking evenings and a gala evening. It runs as a hybrid event, with both in-person participation in Gastein and online attendance available.

Who it's for

EHFG is built for people shaping European health policy: ministers and government health officials, WHO and European Commission leadership, hospital and health system leaders, pharmaceutical and healthcare industry representatives, patient advocates, and researchers focused on EU-level, cross-border health collaboration.