FRA report highlights fundamental rights challenges in the European Union in 2025
In June 2026, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published its annual report on the state of fundamental rights in the European Union, identifying housing insecurity, labour exploitation and threats to rights in the digital environment among the most significant challenges faced across Europe in 2025.
According to the report, the increasing cost of housing and the shortage of affordable accommodation have intensified the housing crisis in many Member States, placing growing pressure on the right to adequate housing. The FRA notes that rising housing costs have contributed to an increase in homelessness and housing insecurity, particularly affecting young people, low-income households, and other vulnerable groups. The Agency calls for a rights-based approach to housing policies, emphasising the need to prevent forced evictions and ensure access to affordable housing for all.
The report also draws attention to the exploitation of migrant and third-country workers, highlighting persistent risks of abusive working conditions, discrimination and insufficient protection of labour rights. According to the FRA, stronger safeguards and more effective enforcement mechanisms are necessary to prevent labour exploitation and ensure equal treatment in the workplace.
Another area of concern identified by the Agency relates to the protection of fundamental rights in the digital sphere. While recent European legislation, including the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, represents an important step towards regulating online platforms and artificial intelligence systems, the report stresses that effective implementation remains essential. Online hate speech, disinformation and discriminatory uses of technology continue to pose significant challenges to democracy, equality and the protection of fundamental rights.
More broadly, the FRA warns that a gap persists between the legal recognition of fundamental rights and their effective implementation in practice. The report highlights concerns relating to democracy, non-discrimination, migration, social rights and digital governance, calling on European institutions and Member States to strengthen their commitment to the protection of human dignity, equality and the rule of law.
The publication of the report coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and serves as a reminder that the effective protection of rights requires continuous political commitment and concrete action at both national and European levels.