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 risksBoosting law enforcement capabilitiesBuilding resilience against hybrid threatsFighting serious and organised crimeCombating terrorismContributing to global securityThe 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 One out of four EU citizens believe that combating criminality is a priorityAlmost all crimes have a digital component: cybercrime, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling Areas of actionTrafficking in human beingsDiscover how the EU is taking action to combat trafficking and protect livesTrafficking in firearmsCountering firearms trafficking and its new threatsDrug traffickingLearn how the EU is coordinating the fight against drug traffickingFinancial investigationsLearn how EU responds to criminal threats including terrorism financingProtecting children from sexual abuseDiscover EU’s legal framework to protect children and prevent child sexual abuseEU knowledge hub on prevention of radicalisationInitiative aimed at bolstering the EU’s efforts against radicalisationLaw enforcement cooperationLearn how the EU is making law enforcement cooperation faster, safer, and more effectiveCombatting cybercrimeFind out how the EU is tackling cybercrime through laws, cross-border cooperation and fundingInnovation and security researchHow 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 New measures to prevent and counter terrorism The growing misuse of new technologies is reshaping terrorist activity, with minors increasingly targeted and radicalised online, while geopolitical developments continue to worsen the threat landscape. To respond to these developments, the Commisson has proposed a new set of measures to prevent and counter terrorism, as part of the ProtectEU internal security strategy. These actions aim to reinforce Europe's response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats, including anticipating threats, preventing radicalisation, protecting people online and in the physical environment, and improving responses to threats and attacks. Latest news 9 June 2026EU Commission and EU Drugs Agency present the 2026 European Drug Report 8 June 2026Justice and Home Affairs Council See all Events 06Dec2024Conferences and summitsYouth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Brunner on Schengen, security, and migration30Jan2025Conferences and summitsEMN Spain National Conference: Integration and inclusion of migrant women: reality, challenges and opportunitiesSee all Related informationDirectorate-General for Migration and Home AffairsLawConsultationsInternal security policy This page was last updated on 28 May 2026
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 risksBoosting law enforcement capabilitiesBuilding resilience against hybrid threatsFighting serious and organised crimeCombating terrorismContributing to global securityThe 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.
Trafficking in human beingsDiscover how the EU is taking action to combat trafficking and protect lives
Protecting children from sexual abuseDiscover EU’s legal framework to protect children and prevent child sexual abuse
EU knowledge hub on prevention of radicalisationInitiative aimed at bolstering the EU’s efforts against radicalisation
Law enforcement cooperationLearn how the EU is making law enforcement cooperation faster, safer, and more effective
Combatting cybercrimeFind out how the EU is tackling cybercrime through laws, cross-border cooperation and funding
Innovation and security researchHow EU security research helps build the knowledge and tools needed to tackle emerging threats
New measures to prevent and counter terrorism The growing misuse of new technologies is reshaping terrorist activity, with minors increasingly targeted and radicalised online, while geopolitical developments continue to worsen the threat landscape. To respond to these developments, the Commisson has proposed a new set of measures to prevent and counter terrorism, as part of the ProtectEU internal security strategy. These actions aim to reinforce Europe's response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats, including anticipating threats, preventing radicalisation, protecting people online and in the physical environment, and improving responses to threats and attacks.
06Dec2024Conferences and summitsYouth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Brunner on Schengen, security, and migration
30Jan2025Conferences and summitsEMN Spain National Conference: Integration and inclusion of migrant women: reality, challenges and opportunities
