Page contentsPage contents What is EMPACT? EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) is a security initiative driven by EU Member States to identify, prioritise and address threats posed by organised and serious international crime.In 2021, EMPACT became a permanent instrument, as set in the Council conclusions on the permanent continuation of the EU Policy Cycle for organised and serious international crime: EMPACT 2022+.EMPACT runs in four-year cycles. It is a multidisciplinary cooperation platform of Member States, supported by all EU institutions, bodies and agencies (such as, Europol, Frontex, Eurojust, CEPOL, OLAF, EU-LISA, EFCA and others). Third countries, international organisations, and other public and private partners are also associated.EMPACT prioritiesIn May 2021, the Council adopted the conclusions setting the priorities for the EMPACT cycle 2022-2025: high-risk criminal networks, cyberattacks, trafficking in human beings, child sexual exploitation, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, fraud, economic and financial crimes, organised property crime, environmental crime, firearms trafficking.In June 2025, the Council adopted the conclusions on the enhancement of EMPACT and on the EU crime priorities for the next EMPACT cycle 2026-2029. They provide guidance on how to improve EMPACT, highlighting key areas to focus on during the next cycle:the most threatening criminal networks and individuals,the fastest growing crimes in the online sphere (cyberattacks, online child sexual exploitation and online fraud schemes),drug trafficking,migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings,firearms and explosives crime,environmental crimes,economic and financial crimes (VAT fraud, excise and customs fraud, and intellectual property crime, counterfeiting of goods and currencies). European Commission support to EMPACT The European Commission:provides financial support to EMPACT activitieschairs the meeting to define the “General Multi-Annual Strategic Plan” (G-MASP), containing the strategic goals to pursue within EMPACT,participates in the Operational Action Plans (OAPs) and the meetings of the National EMPACT Coordinators (NECs)coordinates the strategic goal related to the “external dimension” of EMPACTsupports EMPACT coordinated actions and ongoing initiatives such as the common response to serious and organised crime linked to the war in Ukraine,conducts periodically an independent evaluation at the end of four years, generating recommendations on what to improve in the next EMPACT cycle.The European Commission also works together with the Member States, the Council of the European Union, and the Agencies to ensure consistency of EMPACT actions with EU political priorities and other initiatives and promotes general awareness of EMPACT in security dialogs.In April 2025, the Commission presented the new ProtectEU Strategy, which sets out the objectives and actions for the next years to ensure a safer and more secure Europe. The ProtectEU Strategy recognises EMPACT as the main EU framework for joint action against serious and organised crime and underlines that the Commission will work with the Council Presidencies and the Member States to maximise EMPACT’s potential and tackle the key priorities for the next EMPACT cycle 2026-2029.EMPACT remains a catalyst to implement the actions of the EU Roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime, presented by the European Commission in October 2023. EMPACT results In 2023, EMPACT led to 15 644 investigations initiated (with more than 7 500 victims identified and safeguarded), 13871 arrests, EUR 797 million seized (in assets and money), 197 tons of drugs seized, 821 high-risk criminal networks identified (Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks - Europol), 155 high-value targets (HVT) revealed, enhanced cooperation with non-EU partners to combat criminal activities in the Western Balkans, in Latin America, and in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and many more achievements.In 2024, EMPACT led to 6 635 investigations initiated, 13 575 criminals arrested, 5024 victims identified and safeguarded, EUR 1,05 billion in assets and money seized,1 941 firearms and 222 kg of explosives seized, 85 tons of drugs seized, 73 high-value targets (HVT) identified. More information Council of the EU - the fight against organised crimeEMPACT Terms of Reference (Council document, public, 8975/23, 17 May 2023)EUROPOL: #EMPACT- Robust action to target the most pressing criminal threatsEUROJUST: Prosecuting with EMPACTCEPOL & EMPACTLaw enforcement cooperation: Operational cooperation Factsheets, leaflets and infographics Leaflet: What is EMPACT?Factsheet: EMPACT – 2024 resultsFactsheet: EMPACT – 2023 resultsFactsheet: EMPACT – 2022 resultsFactsheet: EMPACT – 2021 operational results (including full cycle results 2018-2021)Infographic: Results of the EU's fight against crime (2018-2021)Factsheet: EMPACT – 2020 operational resultsFactsheet: EMPACT – 2019 operational results Follow us on XFollow #EMPACT activities for the year 2022 on the dedicated ‘Twitter Moment’#EMPACT activities during the EMPACT cycle 2018-2021 are also on a ‘Twitter Moment’Other social networks
In 2023, EMPACT led to 15 644 investigations initiated (with more than 7 500 victims identified and safeguarded), 13871 arrests, EUR 797 million seized (in assets and money), 197 tons of drugs seized, 821 high-risk criminal networks identified (Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks - Europol), 155 high-value targets (HVT) revealed, enhanced cooperation with non-EU partners to combat criminal activities in the Western Balkans, in Latin America, and in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and many more achievements.In 2024, EMPACT led to 6 635 investigations initiated, 13 575 criminals arrested, 5024 victims identified and safeguarded, EUR 1,05 billion in assets and money seized,1 941 firearms and 222 kg of explosives seized, 85 tons of drugs seized, 73 high-value targets (HVT) identified.
