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 2023, the EU-supported cross-border law enforcement cooperation led to
the identification of 7536 victims of trafficking, 457 arrests of suspected
traffickers, the launch of 1175 investigations and seizures of €4.1 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
ProtectEU is the new European Internal Security Strategy. It sets out a vision for a stronger Union – to jointly anticipate, prevent and respond to security threats, ensure peace and stability for its citizens, protect European democracies, and safeguard prosperity. This strategy addresses the evolving threat landscape, with three overarching objectives: stepping up capabilities to protect people, mainstreaming security considerations in EU policy and external action, and reinforcing a whole-of-society approach to ensure EU security and safety.
This page was last updated on 18 December 2025