AbstractThe present paper gives an overview of both design and experimental activities within the European Union (EU) concerning the development of liquid metal breeder blankets for DEMO. After several years of studies on breeding blankets, two blanket concepts are presently considered, both using the eutectic Pb-17Li: the dual-coolant concept and the water-cooled concept. The analysis of such concepts has permitted the identification of the experimental areas where further data are required. Tritium control and MHD issues are, at present, the activities to which is devoted the greatest effort within the EU.