Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing worldwide public health problem with important implications for the European Union (EU). When antibiotics become ineffective, bacterial infections lead to increased morbidity, use of healthcare, mortality and cost. Globally, estimates suggest that AMR leads to 700 000 deaths per annum. For the EU, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has estimated that AMR currently causes 25 000 deaths annually and losses of at least EUR 1.5 billion per annum in extra healthcare costs and productivity.