What the EU does
The European Union faces a complex security landscape. Open societies and technological advancements have made it easier for terrorists, violent extremists and threat actors to operate across borders, exploit social and economic disparities, and navigate between the physical and digital worlds.
Many types of crime, including trafficking in human beings, child sexual abuse and drugs trafficking, have moved online or are facilitated through digital means. As a consequence, most criminal investigations have a digital component.
To respond to these challenges and foster secure societies, the EU has put emphasis on beating cybercrime, terrorism and radicalisation, organised crime, and financial crime.
In April 2025, the Commission presented ProtectEU – the European Internal Security Strategy, which sets out the objectives and actions for the next years to ensure a safer and more secure Europe.
ProtectEU Strategy’s priority areas and actions include:
- Increased threat awareness to better anticipate security risks
- Boosting law enforcement capabilities
- Building resilience against hybrid threats
- Fighting serious and organised crime
- Combating terrorism
- Contributing to global security
The Commission collaborates with Member States and EU agencies to deal with the complex and cross-border nature of organised crime. This approach ensures that the EU remains vigilant, resilient, and equipped to protect its citizens in a rapidly changing world.
Facts about internal security
Areas of action
Discover how the EU is taking action to combat trafficking and protect lives
Countering firearms trafficking and its new threats
Learn how the EU is coordinating the fight against drug trafficking
Learn how EU responds to criminal threats including terrorism financing
Discover EU’s legal framework to protect children and prevent child sexual abuse
Initiative aimed at bolstering the EU’s efforts against radicalisation
Learn how the EU is making law enforcement cooperation faster, safer, and more effective
Find out how the EU is tackling cybercrime through laws, cross-border cooperation and funding
How EU security research helps build the knowledge and tools needed to tackle emerging threats
Key achievements
- In 2024, the EU-supported cross-border law enforcement cooperation led to the identification of 4,985 victims of trafficking, 846 arrests of suspected traffickers, the launch of 869 investigations and seizures of €4.6 million criminal profit.
- The European Ports Alliance and its public-private partnership launched in 2024, have stepped up the fight against drug trafficking, one of the most serious security threats faced by Europe today.
- As of June 2022, the Terrorist Content Online Regulation requires all online platforms that offer their services in the EU to remove terrorist content within one hour of being notified. This swift response helps keep citizens safe from illegal material and prevent radicalisation online, while robust safeguards ensure that freedom of expression and access to information are fully protected.
In focus
Fires, floods, storms, drone threats to critical infrastructure or terrorist attacks need an effective and well-coordinated response from our police, firefighters, medical services and civil protection teams. To help emergency services communicate with one another, including across services and borders, the European Commission proposed the EU critical communication system. Once established, it will provide first responders with secure and resilient communication channels, significantly improving daily operational cooperation and ultimately making the EU a safer place.
This page was last updated on 30 September 2026