In Europe, soil borne viruses, i.e. Barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and Barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV) on barley and Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) on wheat as well as the aphid transmitted Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) cause severe yield losses. Based on detailed genetic analyses different genes and QTL for resistance or tolerance to these viruses, respectively have been identified and molecular markers facilitating efficient marker based selection procedures, e.g. marker based backcrossing procedures and gene pyramiding, have been developed. In this paper the present state of the art concerning molecular breeding for resistance to these viruses is reviewed and future perspectives for gene isolation and breeding on the allelic level are briefly discussed.