The European Commission published a joint statement by Commissioners Várhelyi and Albuquerque reaffirming its work on the “right to be forgotten” for cancer patients in access to financial services and signalling plans to issue guidance to financial undertakings in 2026. It pointed to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan as a catalyst for dialogue between cancer organisations, the medical community and the insurance sector on a code of conduct for fair access to financial services. The statement also highlighted that the 2023 Consumer Credit Directive introduced the first EU legislative protection in this area by prohibiting the use of a person’s cancer history for insurance policies related to consumer credit agreements after a maximum period calculated from the end of medical treatment, while noting it will consider the issue’s complexity and the concerns of both patients and the insurance community. Member States will begin applying the Consumer Credit Directive provision from 20 November 2026, and the Commission intends to present guidance in 2026 leveraging the ongoing code of conduct work.
European Commission 2026-02-04
European Commission plans 2026 guidance for financial undertakings on the right to be forgotten for cancer patients
The European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the "right to be forgotten" for cancer patients in financial services, with plans to issue guidance in 2026. The 2023 Consumer Credit Directive, effective from 20 November 2026, prohibits using cancer history in insurance policies for consumer credit, reflecting ongoing dialogue under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.