Background: The European Council recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination adopted in 2009 encourages European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States (MS) (n=31, population of ~500 millions) to improve uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among older age groups and individuals with chronic conditions to 75 % vaccination coverage. Increased vaccination rates among risk groups were expected to contribute to higher vaccination rates also in healthcare workers (HCWs). Following these recommendations data on reported national policy, payment schemes and measured/estimated uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine in HCWs were collected. Method: A standardized online survey questionnaire was developed and made available to all EU/EEA MS gatekeepers. Results: Of the 30/31 responding countries, 29 countries recommend seasonal influenza vaccine to HCWs. In Denmark no national recommendation is available, but most regions and municipalities offer HCWs influenza vaccination free of charge. Vaccination is recommended to all HCWs in 23 EU/EEA MS, while another 5 recommend vaccination to either front-line staff in close patient contact or staff caring for immuno-compromised patients only. In the UK vaccination is recommended for all HCWs in Northern Ireland and Scotland while England and Wales recommend front line HCWs only. No MS enforces mandatory vaccination of staff. Some health care settings in MS require unvaccinated staff to wear a mask during the influenza season. Payment schemes for vaccine/vaccination varied, with the employer, national or regional health services paying in 19 MS while 4 reported that at least some HCWs paid out of pocket. In the remaining seven countries a combination of several payment mechanisms exists (e.g. private insurance, out of pocket, employer or national insurance scheme). Uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine in HCWs was reported from fourteen EU/EEA MS and ranged between 5-55%. Information was collected by the administrative method (n= 13) or the survey method (n=1). Uptake in HCWs was often but not always lower than uptake in older populations, with a median uptake of ~25% among HCWs (n=14) compared to ~40% in older populations (n=23). Conclusion: There is a need for collection of uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine in HCWs in all EU/EEA MS and at least in those reporting there is room for substantial improvement in uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination.