Commission presents plan to strengthen security at EU's external borders

TALLINN - The European Commission has presented a five-point plan to prevent and respond to sudden, large-scale illegal arrivals.

The EU already has a comprehensive migration management framework, which has brought the number of illegal border crossings to its lowest level since 2021. However, recent events have tested the EU's borders, from its eastern frontier to the Mediterranean coast. This summer's events in Ceuta demonstrated how quickly unexpected mass arrivals can gather at the EU's external borders and create emergency situations.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, said: "Good policy never stands still. Building on our five-year migration strategy, we are taking the next steps. We are securing the foundations of strong external borders, effective migration diplomacy, a migration and asylum pact, and reliable returns. To this end, we will strengthen Frontex, propose a new European emergency response framework, and deepen cooperation with countries of origin and transit. Europe needs a firm, fair, and adaptable system."

The Commission's plan is based on the European Asylum and Migration Strategy of January 2026 and outlines actions in five main areas.

Closer cooperation with partner countries to prevent illegal migration

This would include, among other things, addressing the root causes of illegal migration, such as creating meaningful opportunities for people in their home countries, better crisis management cooperation through early warning mechanisms and protocols, and creating new digital partnerships to detect online content that encourages illegal migration.

Cooperation should also be intensified between Frontex, Europol, Eurojust, and partner countries to improve the exchange of information on migration trends and routes, risk and threat analyses, and intelligence.

Strengthening the EU's external borders

While the protection of the EU's external borders is primarily the responsibility of member states, the EU will increase its support for better detecting and responding to future emergencies and crises. The Commission proposes to strengthen Frontex, create a reinforced standing corps for the immediate deployment of staff and equipment, and give Frontex a greater role in returns and a significant capacity to monitor the external border and pre-frontier areas.

The plan involves developing an emergency response framework to protect the security of the EU's borders at all times, especially in situations where mass movements are planned and used as a weapon. The Commission also wants to offer targeted support to member states to strengthen sensitive segments of the EU's external borders.

Monitoring, situational awareness, and early warning systems

Frontex's renewed mandate should allow it to conduct social media monitoring to improve situational awareness in the context of external border management. Member states should provide timely and relevant information to the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) and immediately report developments affecting the EU's external borders.

The Digital Services Act should also be fully leveraged to ensure structured and rapid cooperation and information exchange with very large digital platforms, search engines, and national authorities in crisis situations.

Dismantling migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks

Co-legislators should quickly approve the planned sanctions regime against people smugglers, the updated anti-smuggling framework, and Europol's new mandate.

The plan also includes strengthening cooperation with online platforms, financial institutions, and digital payment service providers to ensure their ability to detect online smuggling, and to support member states in identifying, tracing, and detecting illegal financial flows.

Returns

Effective returns require better cooperation with third countries, using all available instruments, including in trade, development cooperation, and visa policy. Frontex's role should be enhanced in returning third-country nationals who do not have the right to stay in the EU.

Member states, for their part, should implement the new Return Directive and border procedure, and make greater use of the assistance Frontex already provides for return, readmission, and reintegration. To streamline procedures and reduce the administrative burden, procedures should be digitized.

The action plan will be presented to member states at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on October 1-2, 2026.