OBJECTIVES: In the view of their increasing importance biosimilar medicines might be subject to specific policies. The study aims to analyze possible differences between pricing policies for generics and for biosimilar medicines in European countries. METHODS: Policies for biosimilar and generic medicines were surveyed with competent authorities for pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement. A questionnaire was launched in January 2016 to survey information valid as of the beginning of the year 2016. A draft compilation of findings was shared with the respondents for validation in April 2016. RESULTS: We received responses from 25 EU Member States (all but Ireland, Italy, and Luxembourg), and Albania, Belarus, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. While 23 of the 33 surveyed countries set the price of the generic in relation to the price of the originator, 13 countries reported to do so for biosimilar medicines. Usually, the price difference between the biosimilar and the originator medicine was set at a lower percentage rate than between the generic and originator (e.g. 30% – generics, 15% – biosimilars in Croatia; 50% – generics, 30% –biosimilars in Lithuania; 35% – generics, 20% – biosimilars in Romania). Only Austria, Latvia and Turkey apply the same price difference for generic and biosimilar medicines (the first follower – either generic or biosimilar medicine – has to be 48%, 30% and 40% below the price of the originator). The Netherlands have been tendering for generics in the out-patient sector during the last decade, but biosimilars were included in tenders only recently. CONCLUSIONS: In principle, European countries tend to apply similar pricing policies for generic and biosimilar medicines. However, while certain policies are established standard for generics, their implementation for biosimilar medicines appears not to have been decided yet. Overall, policy-makers tend to grant biosimilar medicines more favorable conditions compared to generics.