Every federation starts with a room full of people who stopped waiting for someone else to act.
EUFEA is where EMS professionals in Europe finally get a common voice.
On 29–30 October 2026, national professional organizations from ten European countries met in Vienna, Austria, for the founding meeting of the European Federation of Prehospital Emergency Associations (EUFEA).
The meeting opened with an exchange of ideas and a look at emergency medical services across the participating countries. Representatives from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Italy and Hungary introduced their organizations and shared the needs and expectations they bring to a European federation.
At the heart of the meeting was a joint discussion of the Federation’s proposed structure, membership and financing, as well as the framework for its future governance and development. The founding organizations contributed their own proposals and perspectives on EUFEA’s future activities and priorities, from cooperation, education and professional development to advocacy and the exchange of experience.
With the first general assembly, EUFEA has taken its first step towards becoming the European voice for the future of prehospital care.
Professional associations for prehospital emergency care from ten countries join forces to strengthen the profession and improve emergency care for patients across Europe.
Vienna, 30 October 2026 – Emergency medical services are a cornerstone of every European healthcare system. Yet the national professional associations representing those who deliver prehospital care have so far lacked a common voice at the European level. Professional associations from ten European countries have joined forces to establish the European Federation of Prehospital Emergency Associations (EUFEA), creating a common platform to represent and advance the profession across Europe.
Emergency medical services (EMS) across Europe face similar pressures: rising demand, staff shortages and growing expectations of what EMS can deliver. Their responsibilities are evolving, with care outside hospitals becoming broader, more complex and more demanding. At the same time, the systems themselves differ considerably. Training, qualifications, scope of practice and professional recognition vary widely from country to country.
EUFEA aims to give prehospital emergency care professionals a strong voice in discussions with European institutions, policymakers and partner organizations. It will promote high-quality education, improve the comparability of professional qualifications across borders and strengthen professional recognition and career opportunities. Close cooperation with medical societies and other European organizations will also be a priority.
“Emergency care does not stop at national borders, and neither should our profession. EUFEA gives prehospital emergency care professionals a common voice in Europe. We intend to use that voice to shape the future of our profession, raise standards and strengthen emergency care for every patient, wherever in Europe they need help,” says EUFEA President Clemens Kaltenberger (Austria).
EUFEA is turning its objectives into concrete work. The immediate focus is on welcoming further national associations from across Europe as members. Key projects include advocating common European education and quality standards, developing a European Patient Charter and establishing an exchange program that will give EMS professionals insights into emergency care systems in other countries and foster international knowledge transfer.
The founding event of EUFEA took place in Vienna on 29–30 October 2026, bringing together professional associations from Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Switzerland. The Federation is led by President Clemens Kaltenberger (Austria), with Vice Presidents Frank Flake (Germany) and Igor Crnic (Slovenia). Further national professional associations are invited to join.
The European Federation of Prehospital Emergency Associations (EUFEA) is the European umbrella organization of national professional associations in prehospital emergency care. Based in Austria, it represents the professionals working in prehospital emergency care and promotes cooperation, education, professional development and the exchange of experience across Europe.
More at eufea.org.
Emergency care does not stop at national borders, and neither should our profession. EUFEA gives prehospital emergency care professionals a common voice in Europe. We intend to use that voice to shape the future of our profession, raise standards and strengthen emergency care for every patient, wherever in Europe they need help.
