The general practice workforce crisis in Europe: scale of the challenge and available policy responses

General practice across the European region faces a systemic workforce crisis that threatens patient access to health services as well as the coordination, continuity, and equity of care within European health systems. In this Health Policy paper, we use an analysis of the WHO/Europe-Eurostat-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Joint Questionnaire on Non-Monetary Health Care Statistics dataset for 43 countries, evidence from a dedicated research collection, and a rapid review of policy interventions to assess the scale, drivers, and solutions to general practitioner (GP) shortages. Although headcounts have increased since 2010, GP density has stagnated, and effective full-time equivalent capacity has declined due to ageing, early retirement, part-time work, migration, administrative burden, and private-sector competition. We argue that incremental responses are insufficient and propose a coordinated, lifecycle-based strategy spanning training, recruitment, retention, and late-career roles. Key actions include expanded training pathways, improved employment conditions, rural and return-migration incentives, expanded multidisciplinary teams, reduced administrative workload, and full-time equivalent-sensitive workforce monitoring linked to modernised funding and contracting. Tailored national implementation within a shared European framework will be essential to rebuild sustainable GP capacity.