On 27 October 2026, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard, which would significantly reinforce its mandate, operational capacity and competences. This is the Commission’s response to challenges in protecting the Union’s external borders due to a changed geopolitical and security environment, which requires a stronger and more effective European response.
Among other novelties, the proposal aims to increase the operational staff available to Frontex, the standing corps, from 10.000 to 30.000 officers, to strengthen Frontex’s capacity to respond to challenges at the Union’s external borders, and to accommodate Frontex’s new tasks and responsibilities.
Moreover, in accordance with the Commission proposal, Frontex will be directly tasked with supporting national authorities in combatting cross-border crime in relation to the Union’s external borders, in particular migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and terrorism.
Additionally, Frontex will gain an Online Monitoring and Response Centre which will be mandated to monitor online content for the early detection of threats to the Union’s external borders, including cross-border crime.
This proposal will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council, who both have to agree on the proposal before it enters into force.
European Commission’s press release
European Commission’s proposal