The subject of this research is the theoretical and practical aspects of the European social model as a form of socio-economic organization of society in EU member States. The concept of the European social model is ambiguous because of differences in social and economic development of the countries of Europe resulted in not only a variety of models of the welfare state, but also the diversity of typologies of such States. The global financial and economic crisis and economic problems of the EU countries has led to a revision of the earlier welfare state models and the decline of social standards that have led to major changes in the labor market, in health care, education, pensions. Such large-scale changes meant not only changes in the economic and social structure, but also in the ideology of the European social state, which increasingly shifts social costs on its citizens in difficult economic conditions. The article discusses the most difficult period for a number of European countries between 2009 and 2014. Special attention in context of the debt crisis in the EU is devoted to the problems of labor market, in sphere of public employment, healthcare and pensions. The article explains that the policies of austerity has not led to a rise of the economies of most European countries, but rather contributed to the increase of unemployment, reduced social spending on education, health care and the growth of poverty. In the context of the economic crisis and necessity of reforms in social sphere, it became clear that the richer countries of the EU is not ready to share the national wealth with the poorer. And despite some redistribution of wealth through structural backgrounds of the EU at the European level, its share is insignificant. So talking about the existence of a unified social policy at the EU level, and, hence, a single European social model in the absence of solidarity and rising inequality within countries and between EU member States is not necessary.