The ERA-Net Freewalk project aims to study animal health and welfare, milk quality, environmental and socioeconomic impacts in dairy farms that use compost pack bedding (CPB) versus freestalls (FS). The specific aim here was to assess the welfare of dairy cows and to test the hypothesis that dairy cows in CPB systems have a better welfare than those kept in FS. Forty commercial dairy farms (20 CPB and 20 FS) in 6 European countries were selected for evaluation, using mainly animal-based measures (ABM), from an adaptation of the Welfare Quality protocol. Farms were visited during winter 2017-summer 2018, where 4036 dairy cows were scored by the same observer. The average within-farm prevalence of “dirtiness,” graded as “very dirty,” was 62% of the lower hind legs and 43% of the hindquarters, being lower in FS. Cows with at least one hairless area on the body differed significantly, with 52% and 80% in CPB and FS, respectively. This was most pronounced on lower hind legs. Lesions were present in 9% of CPB vs 24% in FS and swellings in 4% vs 10%. BCS was normal (acceptable) in 92% of the cows but slightly higher in CPB. Light and severe lameness was lower on CPB (22%) vs FS (26%) but varied according to the seasons. Other health parameters were within the safe range according to thresholds of the Welfare Quality, except ocular discharge that was too common in CPB. Time for lying down varied between systems, with 5.33 in CPB vs 6 s in FS, reaching warning thresholds in 24% (CPB) vs 43% (FS). Colliding with housing equipment or cows was also less common in CPB (9%) than in FS (35%). Scores for rising up showed significantly easier movement in CPB (2.31) than FS (2.92); colliding less in CPB (18.3%) than FS (76.7%). The results showed a large influence by the housing system on ABM and comfort around resting. Further analysis (welfare criteria and principles level) are in progress to find the most advantageous system to improve animal welfare.