On 9 July 2026, the Council of the European Union is scheduled to debate a European Commission proposal to fundamentally rewrite Europol's legal framework, turning the agency into an information, operational, and technology hub to counter transnational organised crime and hybrid threats. The proposal, published by the Commission on 26 June 2026, would repeal the current Europol Regulation (EU) 2016/794 and amend Regulations (EU) 2018/1726 and (EU) 2024/982, affecting all EU Member States and their law enforcement authorities.
The proposal responds to the European Council conclusions of 26-27 June 2025 and President von der Leyen's 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, which called for a stronger mandate for Europol. Under the new framework, Europol would act as an EU information hub, an operational hub for early cross-border investigation support, and a technology and innovation hub. It would establish EU Centres of Operational Expertise to address hybrid threats such as cyberattacks and attacks on critical infrastructure as a cross-cutting priority. The proposal also strengthens cooperation with Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), Frontex, eu-LISA, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), and aims to deepen cooperation with countries associated with the Schengen acquis.
The overhaul is part of a broader package that includes revisions to the Eurojust Regulation and the European Investigation Order framework. The Council debate on 9 July will mark the first formal discussion among Member States on the proposal, which is expected to be subject to amendments during the legislative process. The European Parliament will also need to give its consent.
The proposal would significantly expand Europol's operational capabilities, potentially increasing its staff and budget. National law enforcement authorities would face new obligations to share data and cooperate with Europol's centres of expertise, raising concerns about administrative burden and data protection. EU citizens could benefit from more effective cross-border crime fighting, but privacy advocates may question the expanded data-sharing powers. The technology sector may see new opportunities for supplying innovative tools to Europol's technology hub, but also potential compliance costs if required to cooperate with law enforcement. The European Parliament and civil society organisations are likely to scrutinise the proposal's impact on fundamental rights and data protection safeguards.