Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based treatment to improve prognosis and quality of life in patients after a cardiac event. In general, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are offered in all European countries. Nevertheless a wide dispersion between countries exists in programme structure and design because of different national legislation and funding. The absence of international standards has a negative effect on programme quality and outcome. Most striking imbalance can be observed between patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation and the real admission rate. Only three European countries report an admission rate of more than 50% of all eligible patients, and less than 25% are women. Thus, rehabilitation programmes in Europe are too heterogeneous. This needs measures for better standardization from "best evidence" to "best practice". The "Quality of Care Continuum" of cardiac rehabilitation could be helpful.