Protecting together: EU funded project EU-Patrols in action

Crime doesn’t stop at borders. But, neither does the police. People in the EU are better protected when police from different countries can join forces, especially during busy times or in places where more security is needed.

EU-Patrols, an EU-funded project enables law enforcement officers from one country to partner with those of other EU countries in joint patrols, maintaining public order in popular tourist destinations during peak seasons and during major sporting, cultural or festive events.

Last year, several European countries' interior security forces cooperated to ensure a safe Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. 792 officers mobilised from 24 EU countries in reinforcement roles, showcasing the project’s capacity to enhance cross-border cooperation at large-scale events.

Another example of cross-border police cooperation took place at the international summit UNOC-3 in Nice, where French teams received support from seven countries. Belgian and Swiss canine units for explosives detection and Italian patrollers securing roads and railways between Monaco and Nice were there to assist.

At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, 89 reinforcements from 14 different countries, including Germany, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Romania, contributed to public safety during matches and fan zones. Police cooperation also helped keep people safe at other major events such as the Tour de France, Octoberfest in Germany, and World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal. These police units do not only patrol - they also help ensure security during severe weather events, such as the storms in Corsica in August 2022.

Operational law enforcement cooperation across the EU enables European security forces to deepen their cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, or to exchange information between different countries through common databases, for instance. This framework has allowed the French National Gendarmerie to implement the European Brigades and Commissariats (BE/CE) system, facilitating their cooperation with police forces from across Europe, and making joint patrols possible.

The EU funded project “EU Patrols” takes the "European Brigades and Commissariats" (BE/CE) a step further. The project, whose aim is to streamline the process of deploying foreign officers, is supported through the EU's Internal Security Fund (ISF), which covers up to 75% of expenses related to joint patrols, such as transportation and accommodation.

Feedback from participating officers consistently highlights the benefits of this cross-border cooperation. Many officers emphasise how their work has improved through mutual understanding, shared best practices, and enhanced operational efficiency, expressing a sense of fulfillment stemmed from contributing to a common European security culture through joint patrols with fellow officers from other countries.

Thanks to this unique cooperation, between 2022 and 2025, nearly 1,000 joint patrol missions have been carried out across Europe, helping prevent crime, assist citizens in need, and ensure a quick, coordinated response to security risks.

Duration: 2022-2025

Countries in the lead: France, Portugal, Croatia (however, cooperation extends to at least 24 countries, depending on the operational context and specific events)

Budget: EUR 5,173,190

EU contribution: EUR 3,879,893

Fund: ISF

Policy: Law enforcement cooperation