European Carers Day 2025: Making migrant care visible, respected, and protected

European Carers Day is an initiative from Eurocarers, celebrated annually on October 6th, which shines a light on the millions of carers across Europe who dedicate their time and energy to supporting loved ones in need. This year, the campaign focuses on migrant care, highlighting the essential role migrant carers play in our societies and calling for their recognition, fair treatment, and protection.

Across Europe, many families rely on migrant carers to provide support for older people, those with chronic illnesses, or people living with disabilities. These carers often step in where formal systems fall short, offering vital care that allows individuals to live with dignity and independence. Yet, their contributions frequently remain invisible, and they face precarious working conditions, limited rights, and little recognition.

For carers of people with bladder cancer, the situation can be particularly challenging. A diagnosis of bladder cancer brings with it complex care needs, from managing treatments and side effects to offering emotional support. The Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Experience Survey found that 91% of carers feel emotionally stressed, and almost half report that providing emotional support is the hardest part of caregiving. When care is provided by migrant workers — often far from their own families and with little systemic support — the burden can be even heavier.

This year’s European Carers Day calls for inclusive policies and fair recognition of migrant carers as an integral part of Europe’s care landscape. By advocating for better conditions, such as fair pay, legal protections, access to training, and mental health support, we can ensure that migrant carers are respected and protected, and that the people they care for receive the quality of support they deserve.

We encourage everyone to take part in recognising the contributions of carers on this day. Whether through sharing stories, supporting local initiatives, or advocating for fairer policies, there are many ways to show appreciation for the indispensable role carers play in our health and social care systems.

To learn more about how you can get involved and support carers in your community, visit the European Carers Day page.