The European Union faces a . 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 .
To respond to these challenges and foster secure societies, the EU has put emphasis on .
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:
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.
One out of four
EU citizens believe that combating criminality is a priority
Almost all
crimes have a digital component: cybercrime, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling
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
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.
