Answer to a written question – Systematic discrimination against unsubsidised foster parents in Greece – Violation of EU law and undermining of the European Child Guarantee – E-003264/2025(ASW)

The protection and promotion of the rights of the child is enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, but the Charter applies to Member States only when they are implementing EU law[1]. Since the substantive family law and child protection issues are not regulated by EU law, the Commission has no powers to intervene in the case described in petition 0252/2025.

Given their non-binding nature, no infringement proceedings can be launched with regards to the follow-up of Council Recommendations (EU) 2021/1004 establishing a European Child Guarantee[2] (ECG) and (EU) 2024/1238 on integrated child protection systems[3].

The breach of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 883/2004, which concerns coordination of social security systems for mobile workers and their families, cannot be established. Article 4 bans discrimination of mobile workers in access to benefits available in the host Member State. There is no indication of the practice complained concerning mobile workers or their families, nor of the refusal of financial support being only applied to mobile workers.

As per Commission’s opinion to petition 0252/2025[4], the Greek child guarantee action plan sets as target for 2030 to reduce the number of children in institutional alternative care to zero. The Greek Child Guarantee Coordinator is aware of the issue described in petition 0252/2025. The implementation of the ECG in Greece is a key priority highlighted in the 2025 European Semester process[5] and is supported by EU cohesion policy funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility[6].

• [1] Article 51(1) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
• [2] Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021H1004&qid=1678779757366.
• [3] Council Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 of 23 April 2024 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32024H1238.
• [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PETI-CM-776787_EN.docx.
• [5] 2025 Country Report — Greece https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/download/e4a67707-7a12-4af0-8f3a-9b01301e263f_en?filename=EL_CR_SWD_2025_208_1_EN_autre_document_travail_service_part1_v4.pdf.
• [6] https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en.