BARCELONA, SPAIN — 22 April, 2026 — The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially unveiled the central theme for its highly anticipated 2026 Congress, scheduled to take place in Barcelona from 5–9 September. Under the banner, "United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians and researchers," the Society is signaling a transformative shift in the global respiratory health landscape. By formalizing the integration of lived experience into the bedrock of clinical and scientific inquiry, the ERS aims to redefine the standard of care for millions of patients worldwide.
Main Facts: A New Era of Inclusive Medicine
The ERS Congress remains the world’s premier gathering for respiratory professionals, annually attracting thousands of clinicians, scientists, and industry leaders. While the 2026 programme will retain its comprehensive coverage of the full spectrum of respiratory medicine—from interstitial lung diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to cutting-edge research in lung cancer and pediatric pulmonology—the 2026 theme acts as a connective tissue, weaving a narrative of collaboration throughout the entire event.
The primary objective of this year’s theme is to dismantle the traditional hierarchies of medical knowledge. By embedding patient representatives into the early planning stages, the ERS is moving beyond tokenistic inclusion toward a model of "co-design." This represents a fundamental change in how the respiratory community approaches everything from clinical trials and research grant priorities to the day-to-day management of chronic respiratory conditions.
Chronology: From Concept to Global Stage
The evolution of this collaborative strategy has been a multi-year project for the ERS and the European Lung Foundation (ELF). The following timeline outlines the path toward the 2026 Congress:
- 2024–2025 (Strategic Alignment): The ERS leadership identifies patient partnership as a key strategic pillar, initiating closer coordination with the ELF to integrate patient voices into the Society’s decision-making committees.
- January 2026 (Programme Co-development): Formal planning begins for the Barcelona Congress. Unlike previous years, patient advocates are granted seats at the table for abstract review and session selection, ensuring that the scientific programme addresses the issues that truly impact patient quality of life.
- 22 April 2026 (Theme Unveiling): The ERS officially announces the 2026 theme, marking a definitive commitment to the "United for better breathing" mission.
- 11 May 2026 (Vision Live Event): The first major milestone, ERS Vision Live, will serve as a high-level digital forum to introduce the theme to the global community.
- Summer 2026 (Educational Series): A series of pre-congress webinars will bridge the gap between academic theory and practical, patient-centered care, preparing delegates for the discussions ahead.
- 5–9 September 2026 (The Congress): The Barcelona event will feature unprecedented levels of patient-led studio sessions, community spaces in the "World Village," and the annual ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day.
Supporting Data: The Power of the Patient Voice
The shift toward patient-centered care is not merely a philosophical preference; it is supported by growing evidence that patient engagement improves clinical outcomes. Data consistently shows that when patients are actively involved in their own care plans and the research that drives them, treatment adherence rates increase significantly.
Furthermore, the ERS has recognized that researchers who engage with patient advocates often achieve more relevant clinical endpoints. In many respiratory diseases, the metrics of success—such as lung function test results—do not always capture the patient’s daily reality, such as fatigue, mental health impact, or social isolation. By incorporating patient perspectives at the abstract review and session planning stages, the 2026 Congress aims to ensure that the scientific data presented in Barcelona is not just clinically significant, but socially and personally transformative for those living with chronic conditions.
Official Responses: A Shared Vision
The leadership of both the ERS and the ELF has emphasized that this collaboration is a permanent, structural change rather than a one-time thematic choice.
Dr. Rosa Faner, ERS Congress 2026 Co-Chair, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the shift: "The ERS Congress 2026 theme provides a fantastic platform to highlight the importance of patient-professional partnerships. Patient perspectives are paramount for research and for the advancement of treatment and care. This is why ERS places the patient voice at the center of many of its activities and events. It aligns with our strategic aim to strengthen these partnerships."
Dr. Faner added, "Alongside the European Lung Foundation, ERS provides the respiratory community with a powerful voice to support better respiratory health. Through this year’s Congress theme, that voice will be clearer than ever on the world stage."
Dimitris Kontopidis, Chair of the European Lung Foundation, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shift toward genuine co-design. "Patients and patient representatives have been part of the ERS Congress for many years, but in 2026, this continues to evolve. We are moving toward a model where patients bring unique insights from their lived experience to challenge attendees to think differently about how partnership works in practice—from day-to-day clinical interactions to setting research priorities."
Implications: The Long-Term Legacy
The implications of the 2026 Congress reach far beyond the five days in Barcelona. By setting this theme, the ERS is attempting to foster a "legacy of partnership" that will influence the trajectory of respiratory medicine for years to come.
Transforming Clinical Practice
For the clinician on the ground, the Congress aims to provide practical tools to facilitate better communication. The "patient-led studio sessions" and workshops are designed to help doctors move away from a paternalistic model of care and toward a shared decision-making process. This has profound implications for patient outcomes, particularly in chronic diseases where long-term management is dictated by patient autonomy.
Shaping Future Research
The inclusion of patient representatives in the review of scientific abstracts is a radical, yet necessary, step for the research community. By ensuring that research is evaluated not only for its technical merit but for its relevance to patient needs, the ERS is helping to ensure that funding and time are directed toward breakthroughs that will provide the most meaningful improvement in human lives.
A Global Networking Model
The annual ELF Patient Organisation Networking Day, bolstered by the new focus of the Congress, provides an opportunity for patient advocates from different countries to share strategies. This creates a more unified global voice, enabling patients to advocate more effectively for better health policies, increased funding, and improved access to medicines at the national and European levels.
Moving Forward: Engaging with the 2026 Congress
The ERS has ensured that the road to Barcelona is paved with opportunities for engagement. The upcoming ERS Vision Live event on 11 May will serve as the premier digital gateway for those wishing to understand how to apply these collaborative principles in their own institutions.
As the respiratory community prepares to gather in Spain this September, the message from the ERS is clear: the future of lung health is not a solo endeavor. It is a collective effort that requires the expertise of the scientist, the precision of the clinician, and the invaluable, lived wisdom of the patient. By uniting these three pillars, the 2026 ERS Congress is poised to make a historic contribution to the field, ensuring that the goal of "better breathing" is within reach for everyone, everywhere.
For those interested in participating in this landmark event, registration is now open. Professionals and patient advocates alike are encouraged to review the full programme to identify sessions that will help them foster these essential partnerships within their own communities.
- Learn more and register for the ERS Congress 2026: Official ERS Registration Portal
- Explore the full scientific programme: ERS Congress 2026 Programme
- Register for the 11 May Vision Live event: ERS Channel Link
