EHTEL is putting the European Health Data Space (EHDS) in the spotlight at its upcoming Thought Leader Symposium, "The EHDS is Coming: Let's Get Ready with Data", on 19-21 January 2026. This year, we're embracing a visionary and bold approach, by joining forces with the Radical Health Festival Helsinki (RHFH).

Two events, one powerful experience

On 19-21 January 2026, our Symposium will be fully embedded in the Radical Health Festival Helsinki. 

The EHTEL Symposium will be hosted as a dedicated track in the main programme of the RHFH, to specifically address EHDS implementation challenges. The EHDS implementation represents a transformative opportunity to advance precision health across Europe. Operationalising precision health is the key theme of the 2026 edition of the RHFH.

“The EHDS is such an ambitious project for Europe’s digital transformation that we felt it deserves EHTEL’s Thought Leader’s Symposium to innovate, not only by joining forces with the Radical Health Festival, but also by engaging implementers in advancing without delay in their preparation for EHDS. The EHDS is coming: let’s get ready with data”, says Marc Lange, General Secretary, EHTEL.

EHTEL contributes decades of expertise in digital health policy and implementation, supported by a Europe-wide network membership network. Radical Health Festival adds system-level reach, a vibrant community, and a focus on action. Together, we provide a strong platform for dialogue and delivery.

Join EHTEL and RHFH for up to three days:

• 19 January 2026 afternoon: Attend an EHTEL matchmaking event.
• 20 January 2026: Take in all the interesting RHFH sessions on digital health and data e.g., on data and AI, human and AI collaboration, and ubiquitous technologies.
• 21 January 2026: Find out so much more at EHTEL’s dedicated EHDS plenary and parallel sessions.

The Symposium’s high-impact EHDS agenda

Get ready for a powerful line-up of topics on 21 January 2026. We’re kicking things off with a high-impact plenary session:

• “Upgrading Data Infrastructures to Realise the Full Potential of the EHDS”.

But that’s just the beginning. Look forward to 4 dynamic sessions exploring key themes:

• The EHDS Definition of EHR Systems: What Does It Mean for Us?, supported by SORSIX.
• AI for Structured High-Quality Data.
• EHRs and Decision Support Systems.
  
• Enablers for patient access to EHRs, supported by xShare.
  

▶️ Stay tuned: Registration and attendance details for the EHTEL Thought Leader Symposium will be revealed soon.

Get ready meanwhile to roll up your sleeves

Shaping the future starts this autumn: From September to December 2025, we’ll invite you to join forces with EHTEL colleagues on shaping the future of EHDS through your chosen area of focus. The aim is to lay the groundwork for richer and more focused discussions at the Symposium.

Together, we’ll tackle three working papers, all centred on electronic health records (EHRs) - to spark meaningful insights and action when we finally meet in January.

These three working papers will form a key part of the RHFH  on “Operational precision health – making it real, together”.  

You’ll be able to finetune the messages to be submitted to European policy-makers on what needs to be done practically to implement the EHDS.

Helsinki: The Place to Be for EHDS at the start of 2026

Between 19-21 January 2026, Helsinki will be the meeting place for EHDS visionaries and implementers.

Why Helsinki? Finland is setting the standard with cutting-edge progress on data spaces, EHRs, secondary use of health data, and citizen engagement. This prime location is your chance to connect with trailblazers, exchange ideas, explore best practices, and even visit important Finnish digital health-related sites. Expect to experience many highlights and special moments there.

Be where the future of EHDS is happening. Join us in Helsinki.

Learn more about the EHTEL and RHFH collaboration.