Global polio eradication: Where are we in Europe and what next?

•The world is very close to poliomyelitis eradication: only 37 cases confirmed in 2016.•Europe is polio free from more than 20years, but still there are consistent polio immunization gaps in clustered population groups.•Immigration from polio at risk countries and high concentration of poliovirus manipulating laboratories require maintenance of a careful surveillance.•National plans to respond to a poliovirus introduction are urgently needed for European countries.•Poliovirus containment is still a challenge for European countries that host large amount of Sabin poliovirus containing materials.