Background: This comparative study is intended to provide a better understanding of how health promotion services are organized in school settings in Europe and to show how health professionals involved outside or within the school setting help to improve young people's health. Methods: This study was based on an analysis of school health policies and the organization of school health services, where these existed, as well as on interviews with health and education professionals. The countries concerned were Belgium (French-speaking community), Denmark, France, Spain (Catalonia), Switzerland (Jura), Poland and Portugal. Results: Although the provision of health services for children and adolescents varied considerably, the health services available were very similar in each of the countries. The emphasis put on particular aspects of these services varied depending on the political and institutional culture in each country. Three different types of school health service provision were identified: community-based, school-based or health needs-focused. Conclusion: All countries had health education and health promotion services but the provision of these services varied considerably from country to country. They were provided either by a specific category of professionals (health personnel or teachers) or considered to be the responsibility of the educational community as a whole.