As Europe grapples with geopolitical tensions, economic instability, demographic change and rising populism, the role of Social Europe has never been more critical. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in social protection and health systems across the European Union (EU), but it also accelerated the development of temporary measures like the Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), demonstrating the potential for stronger EU-wide social policies. However, five years later, new crises have emerged, from the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East, which have heightened security concerns across the continent, to escalating natural disasters. Amid these challenges that threaten European welfare models, a crucial question remains: Has Social Europe been reinforced in a lasting and sustainable way, or were these measures merely temporary solutions?This paper highlights the need for strong social policies in the current era of geopolitical volatilities and sets out policy recommendations to ensure a pathway to a stronger social Europe.