Who we are

Tasks & Mission Structure Legal Basis

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, supports EU Member States and
Schengen-associated countries in the management of the EU’s external borders and the fight
against cross-border crime.
Frontex is a centre of excellence for border control activities at the EU’s external borders,
sharing intelligence and expertise with all Member States and with neighbouring non-EU
countries affected by migratory trends and cross-border crime.
With the standing corps, the European Union’s first uniformed law enforcement service,
Frontex has transformed into an operational arm of the EU.
Hundreds of officers are taking part in operations at the external borders of the European
Union and beyond. They perform a variety of tasks such as border surveillance, fighting
cross-border crime, and assisting in return operations. The officers stand together with
national authorities to safeguard the Schengen Area, one of Europe’s greatest achievements.

Origin
The ideas that led to the creation of Frontex have a deep history in the European project.
Fostering the free movement of people has been an important objective of European
integration. In 1957, free movement of goods, persons, services and capital were identified
as foundations of the Community in the Treaty of Rome.

Schengen
During the 1980s, five Member States (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands) decided to create a common area of free movement – a territory without
internal borders. In 1985, they signed the first agreement in a small town in Luxembourg
called Schengen – an agreement that was followed in 1990 by a Convention implementing
the Schengen Agreement.

When the “Schengen area” – a territory in which the free movement of persons - entered
into force in 1995, checks at the internal borders were abolished and a single external border
was created. Slowly, border control, as well as the rules governing visas and the right to
asylum, became common for all Schengen countries.

In order to keep a balance between freedom and security, participating Member States
agreed to introduce additional measures focusing on cooperation and coordination of the
work of the police and judicial authorities. Because organised crime networks do not respect
borders, this cooperation became key to safeguarding internal security.
In 1999, with the signing of the Treaty of Amsterdam, this intergovernmental cooperation
was incorporated into the EU framework.

Towards Frontex
Since 1999 the European Council on Justice and Home Affairs has taken several steps
towards further strengthening cooperation in the area of migration, asylum and security.
In the border management field, this led to the creation of the External Border Practitioners
Common Unit - a group composed of members of the Strategic Committee on Immigration,
Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) and heads of national border control services.
The Common Unit coordinated national projects of Ad-Hoc Centres on Border Control.
Their task was to oversee EU-wide pilot projects and to implement common operations
related to border management.

Frontex is born
Two years after the establishment of "ad-hoc" centres the European Council decided to go a
step further. With the objective of improving procedures and working methods of the
Common Unit, Council Regulation (EC) 2007/2004 of 26 October 2004 led to the
establishment of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at
the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex).

This Regulation was repealed by Regulation (EU) 2016/1624 of 14 September 2016,

establishing Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The latest amendment of the Frontex mandate occurred when the Regulation (EU)
2019/1896 of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard (OJ L 295,
14.11.2019, p. 1) came into force.

Our Mission
Together with the Member States, we ensure safe and well-functioning external borders
providing security.

We are professionalWe have the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to fulfil our
mission efficiently with high ethical standards and we continuously strive for excellence to
improve our performance.

We are respectfulWe recognise people, institutions and their roles and demonstrate respect
by treating these as valuable and important.

We seek cooperationTogether with EU MSs relevant national authorities, with participation

of other stakeholders we manage the EU external borders and seek cooperation with non-EU
countries.Together, we cooperate and collaborate across the organisation as well as with
external stakeholders in order to accomplish common goals and objectives.We are
accountableWe are trustworthy in fulfilling our responsibilities in our work, its timeliness
and quality.

We careAs European public agents we serve the interests of citizens because we care about
people and believe in European values.

European Border and Coast Guard standing corps

For the first time, the European Union has its own uniformed service – the European Border
and Coast Guard standing corps. This new border corps, composed of Frontex and EU
Member States’ officers, is able to support the Member States facing challenges at their
external borders at any time.
Trained by the best and equipped with the latest that technology has to offer, Frontex border
and coast guards are ready for tomorrow’s challenges at the borders, helping to ensure their
proper functioning.
Frontex border guards work under the command of the national authorities of the country
they are deployed in.

Main tasks
Frontex border guards support EU and Schengen countries in tasks such as:
• border control at land, sea and air borders
• border surveillance
• collecting and sharing information on situation at EU’s borders and
beyond
• search and rescue activities
• returning people who do not have the right to stay in the EU
• fighting cross-border crime, including migrant smuggling, document
fraud and terrorism.
Frontex border guards work in operational areas at EU’s external borders. The officers may
also work in non-EU country, provided it signed a Status Agreement with the EU.
Frontex border guards wear uniforms carry a service weapon and have executive powers.
This means that the officers can perform tasks such as verifying a person’s identity and
nationality, allowing or refusing entry into the EU, patrolling between border crossing
points.

Structure of FRONTEX

The agency is managed by an Executive Director whose functions and powers are defined in
Article 68 of Regulation (EU) No 2016/1624.
Three Deputy Executive Directors each oversee specific tasks of the Agency and report
directly to the Executive Director. The tasks are performed by nine Divisions, an Executive
Management Bureau (covering Media and Public Relations Office, Brussels Office and
Registration Office), offices (Inspection and Control and Internal Audit Capability) and
Permanent Premises for the Frontex Headquarters Task Force.
The Divisions are following:
• Situational Awareness and Monitoring Division(Frontex Situation Centre; Risk
Analysis Unit; Vulnerability Assessment Unit)
• International and European Cooperation Division(International Cooperation Unit;
Institutional Partnership Unit; Liaison Officers Networks Unit)
• Operational Response Division(Field Operations Unit; Coast Guard and Law
Enforcement Unit; Centre of Excellence for Combatting Document Fraud)
• European Centre for Returns(Pre-Return Unit; Return Operations and Voluntary
Returns Unit; Post-Return Unit)
• Capacity Building Division(Engineering and Acquisition Unit; Training Unit;
Research and Innovation Unit)
• Deployment Management Division(Standing Corps Preparedness and Deployment
Unit; Logistics Unit)
• ETIAS Central Unit Division(Application Handlers Unit; Assistance Centre Unit)
• Financial, Digital and Security Division(Financial Services Unit; Digital Services
Unit; Security Unit)
• Governance Support Centre(Executive Management Bureau; Human Resources
Unit; Legal and Procurement Unit)
An independent Fundamental Rights Officer reports directly to the Management Board and
cooperates with the Consultative Forum which assists the Executive Director and the
Management Board with independent advice in fundamental rights matters.

LEGAL BASIS

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is governed by Regulation (EU)
2019/1896 of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard (OJ L 295,
14.11.2019, p. 1).
The above-mentioned regulation provides the Agency with a reinforced mandate and
increased competences compared to Regulation (EU) 2016/1624, such as the European
Border and Coast Guard Standing Corps (the EU’s first uniformed service).
The seat of Frontex is Warsaw, Poland, as laid down in Article 93(5) of Regulation (EU)
2019/1896. A Headquarters Agreement has been concluded between Frontex and the
Republic of Poland.

Other relevant instruments

Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 establishing the European Border Surveillance System

(EUROSUR), provides for “a common framework for the exchange of information and for
the cooperation between Member States and Frontex in order to improve situational
awareness and to increase reaction capability at the external borders of the Member States
of the Union (‘external borders’) for the purpose of detecting, preventing and combating
illegal immigration and cross-border crime and contributing to ensuring the protection and
saving the lives of migrants (‘EUROSUR)”. The Eurosur Regulation has been repealed and
replaced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, which carries revised provisions on EUROSUR.
Regulation (EU) 656/2014 establishing rules for the surveillance of the external sea borders
in the context of operational cooperation coordinated by Frontex also introduced changes to
the mandate of the agency, namely in terms of what concerns sea operations coordinated by
Frontex. This Regulation was fully integrated and referred to in Regulation (EU)
2016/1624 and now in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896.
Other relevant instruments are Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules
governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) and Directive
2008/115/EC on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally
staying third-country nationals, also referred to in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896.

Background
The former European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the
External Borders of the Member States of the European Union had been established
by Council Regulation (EC) 2007/2004 (26.10.2004, OJ L 349/25.11.2004).

This Regulation was firstly amended by the Regulation (EC) No 863/2007 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 establishing a mechanism for the creation of
Rapid Border Intervention Teams and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 as
regards that mechanism and regulating the tasks and powers of guest officers.
It was also amended, inter alia, by the Regulation (EU) No 1168/2011 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 amending Council Regulation (EC) No
2007/2004 establishing an European Agency for the Management of Operational
Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union.
These Regulations had been repealed by Regulation (EU) 2016/1624 of 14 September 2016
on the European Border and Coast Guard (OJ L 251, 16.9.2016, p. 1).

Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard
(OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1) in turn repealed Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU)
2016/1624.

How we work

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, provides support to EU Member
States and Schengen Associated Countries in managing the EU’s external borders and
tackling cross-border crime.
Thanks to the standing corps, Frontex is the home of the European Union’s first uniformed
law enforcement service. It is actively engaged in operations across the EU’s external
borders and beyond.

Frontex is a hub of expertise for border control activities, sharing intelligence and
knowledge with all EU Member States and neighbouring countries affected by irregular
migration and cross-border crime. By leveraging its expertise and resources, Frontex has
become an essential partner in the fight against transnational crime and protecting the EU's
external borders.

Whenever an EU Member State requests assistance at the external borders, the agency’s
highly trained standing corps officers, supported by vessels, aeroplanes and border
surveillance equipment, spring into action. These officers work together to carry out
essential border control operations and other security-related tasks, as well as search and
rescue operations. Their presence is not just limited to Europe’s sea and land borders, but
also extend to international airports.
Each operation is based on risk analysis and uniquely tailored to the circumstances
identified by Frontex in its risk analysis.
Our border operation span across the European Union, from EU’s eastern borders, through
the Western Balkans, down to Greece and Cyprus, as well as Italy and Spain.

The agency is active outside the EU in countries that have signed a Status Agreement with
the European Commission. Frontex has operations in Moldova, Serbia, Montenegro and
Albania. There are also dozens of Frontex’s officers working at EU and international
airports.

Key areas of Frontex operations

More than 2000 Frontex officers and staff working outside its headquarters play a crucial
role in conducting border checks and registering irregular migrants. This team of experts
help national authorities collect fingerprints and determine the nationality of migrants
during screening interviews. Some Frontex officers collect important information about the
criminal networks involved in people smuggling and trafficking.
With over 42,000 km of coastline, almost 9,000 km of land borders and around 300
international airports, Europe sees around 500 million border crossings a year. The job of
managing the borders requires a clear picture of the current situation at all the EU’s external
borders. Frontex helps to provide this with a 24/7 monitoring of the borders and collecting
and sharing related information with authorities at the national and EU level.
Frontex also closely cooperates with customs authorities. The agency has been involved in
expanding cooperation between border-control authorities and customs as well as with
national and EU authorities, the Commission and European Ant-Fraud office (OLAF).

Frontex also supports EU Member States in other areas related to border control, such as
training and sharing of best practices.

Multipurpose support
At sea, Frontex is also involved in the European cooperation on coast guard functions in
close cooperation with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and European
Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Together, they are implementing Multipurpose Maritime Operations, expanding the

cooperation on coast guard functions including search and rescue, border control, maritime
safety and security, fisheries control, environmental protection. The collaboration is already
well established within Frontex Joint Operations at sea. (LINK-EU’S coast guard)

ABOUT FRONTEX
• Who we are
• Standing corps
• Management Board
• Careers
• Procurement
• Grants
WHAT WE DO
• Operations
• Fighting crime
• Monitoring and risk analysis
• ETIAS
RETURN AND REINTEGRATION
• Return operations
• Reintegration assistance
INNOVATION
• Research and Innovation
• EU Research
• Announcements
• Prize contest
PARTNERS
• Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network
• EU Partners
• Other Partners and Projects
MEDIA CENTRE
• News
• Multimedia
• Contact
TRANSPARENCY
• Accountability
• Data Protection
• Public Access to Documents
• Transparency Register
PUBLICATIONS
• Public Register of Documents
• Main Publications
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
• Fundamental Rights at Frontex
• Consultative Forum
• Complaints Mechanism

Operational cycle
The agency sends its standing corps officers to areas at the EU’s external where EU and
Schengen-area countries need support. Frontex also has officers in third countries that have
signed a Status Agreement with the European Commission.
Frontex provides technical and operational assistance through joint operations and rapid
border interventions, as well as technical and operational assistance in the support of search
and rescue operations at sea.
Intelligence-driven
Frontex joint operations are planned and developed on the basis of an Annual Risk Analysis
Reports which analyses the likely future risk of irregular migration and cross-border crime
along the EU external border. During the annual meetings with Member States the agency
prioritises the proposed joint operations on the basis of their importance and the resources
available in order to ensure an effective response.
Consultation with Member States
Together with the host country Frontex makes an assessment of the number of officers with
specific expertise and the quantity and type of technical equipment required. Frontex then
directs a request to all Member States and Schengen Associated Countries for the necessary
officers, clearly specifying their required profiles (including document experts, border
checks, surveillance experts, dog handlers) as well as specific equipment needed for the
operation (such as helicopters, planes, patrol cars, thermo-vision equipment, heart-beat
detectors). Those countries then decide on the level of contribution they can make to the
joint operation.
Operational Plan
This document clearly defines the aim of each joint operation, where it is to take place and
the quantities and types of technical equipment and officers to take part. Many operations
require the deployment of debriefing officers, who conduct interviews with migrants with
the purpose of gathering information about people-smuggling networks. In addition, cultural
mediators and interpreters enable migrants to express themselves in their own languages.
The operational plan also clearly states the rules of engagement for officers taking part in
the operation.
Implementation

At this stage, standing corps officers and technical equipment are deployed to the
operational area to carry out their duties according to the operational plan. The deployed
standing corps officers work under the command and control of the authorities of the
country hosting the operation.

Rapid border interventions

A rapid border intervention is designed to bring immediate assistance to a Member State

that is under urgent and exceptional pressure at its external border, especially related to large
numbers of non-EU nationals trying to enter the territory of a Member State illegally.
The interventions rely on the rapid reaction pools of 1500 officers and equipment from
Member States, which are required to provide them – officers and staff within five days and
equipment within 10 days.

Deployment Procedure
A Member State starts the procedure to launch a rapid border intervention by requesting
one, along with providing a description of the situation, possible aims and its needs. The
Frontex Executive Director may send experts to assess the situation and immediately
informs the Management Board of the agency about the request. The Executive Director
must decide within two working days whether to launch the rapid intervention, notifying the
requesting Member State and the Management Board of his decision.
The Executive Director and the Member State then have to draw up an operational plan
within three days after a decision to launch a rapid border intervention. As soon as the plan
is agreed, Frontex shall immediately deploys the operational staff available, and in parallel,
asks other Member States to provide border guards and other relevant staff from the rapid
reaction pool, if necessary, indicating the relevant profiles and numbers of officers from
each. The officers made available from the rapid reaction pool should be deployed within
five days. Member States may also be asked to provide additional officers, who would be
provided within additional seven days.

Command
Members of the teams may perform tasks and exercise powers under instructions from and
in the presence of border guards of the Member State requesting assistance.
Frontex Executive Director appoints a coordinating officer to act as an interface between the
agency and the other authorities involved, monitoring the correct implementation of the
operational plan.

Tackling cross-border crime

Frontex collaborates closely with national authorities and EU agencies, including Europol,
to stop cross-border crime and make European Union safer and more secure.
In its operations, Frontex targets not just migrant smuggling or trafficking in human beings,
but also other serious crimes that affect the security the EU and its people, ranging from the
smuggling of drug, firearms, stolen cars and counterfeit goods to document fraud and
environmental crime.
Many criminal networks engage in multiple criminal activities simultaneously, simply
adding migrant smuggling or trafficking in human beings to their portfolio of “services”.
Criminal gangs active in the field of migrant smuggling also collaborate with networks
involved in other types of serious and organised crime, such as the production and provision
of fraudulent documents, firearms trafficking, corruption and financial crimes, especially
money laundering. In some cases, the same routes and modi operandi are used for migrant
smuggling and trafficking of illegal goods.
The complex character of cross-border crime threats requires a comprehensive
operational response at the borders – the first filter to stop illegal activities before they
harm EU citizens and EU internal security. For this reason, efforts to combat organised
crime by EU member states, non-EU partners and Frontex at the EU’s external borders need
to be based on the risk analysis and identified criminal threats. The agency may provide
technical and operational assistance to EU Member States to reinforce their capacity. Such
support may consist of expertise, training, advice on appropriate technological tools or
launching operational response.
Law enforcement is firmly embedded in Frontex’s operational response. All joint operations
contain the element of cross-border crime counteraction.
Frontex takes part in Joint Action Days – international operations that bring together
national law enforcement authorities, international organisations and EU agencies to take on
serious and organised crime. These operations are coordinated under the umbrella of the
European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

Frontex coordinates its cross-border crime related activities with the support of a number of
European and international organisations.

Against firearm smuggling

Weapon trafficking is a global threat that has a far-reaching impact on society. It is a major
security concern and, as such, is at the forefront of law enforcement efforts and activities.
Firearms are often used to fuel armed conflicts and terrorism, making gun trafficking an
issue of critical importance.
Small arms and light weapons are the most commonly trafficked firearms, but the
smuggling varies significantly from region to region due to differences in firearms
legislation across different countries.
To effectively combat criminal networks involved in weapon trafficking, law enforcement
officers must continuously improve their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest
information on how these criminals operate.
Frontex has taken action to assist national border guard and customs authorities in their fight
against arms-related crime by creating the Handbook on Firearms for Border Guards and
Customs Officers. This initiative was carried out in cooperation with the border guard and
customs community, as well as EU and international partners.

The handbook provides the latest information on firearms trafficking, tactics, and equipment
to be used during border checks. The initiative was supported and guided by the European
Commission, EU member states, and a number of EU and international organisations. The
handbook was developed under the umbrella of the European Multidisciplinary Platform
against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and serves as a valuable resource for law enforcement
agencies.

Protecting victims

Trafficking in persons/human beings often takes place across borders and law enforcement
officers have a vital role in identifying potential victims. Training of border guards is one
effective tool for combating this terrible crime. Frontex has cooperated with specialised UN
agencies and NGOs for many years, preparing handbooks for border guards on how to
detect potential victims and seek further assistance. The Frontex VEGA Handbook: Children
Concept is a valuable resource resulting from Frontex's comprehensive approach to children
at risk on the move. It is a product of Frontex's collaboration with experts in the field and
serves as a practical guide for border guards on identifying and assisting children who may
be victims of trafficking.
By providing these resources and training, Frontex is working to prevent trafficking in
human beings, protect victims, and bring criminals to justice. The agency's commitment to
this effort underscores the importance of international cooperation in combatting this crime.

Finding potential foreign terrorist fighters

Frontex is fully committed to ensuring that our external borders remain safe and secure. To
achieve this goal, we work tirelessly with our partners to develop effective strategies and
tools for countering the threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters.

One such tool is the Common Risk Indicators, which we actively support and promote. By
using these indicators, border control authorities are better equipped to identify and assess
the risk of suspicious travel by potential foreign terrorist fighters and to detect firearms
smuggling.
Our efforts in this area are coordinated closely with our partners at EUROPOL. Together,
we are determined to ensure that almost all of our coordinated border operations, whether on
land, sea, or air, include these critical operational objectives.

To further empower our border guards and improve situational awareness, Frontex has also
developed specific materials in close cooperation with EUROPOL. These materials are
tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by border guards and are a testament to
our ongoing commitment to keeping our borders safe and secure from the threat of
terrorism.

Monitoring and risk analysis

EU-wide picture
Frontex knows what’s going on at Europe’s borders: where the threats are, how to react, and
where they’re likely to emerge next. Our 24/7 monitoring of the situation on the border and
beyond, combined with comprehensive risk analysis, gives us a Europe-wide view of border
control and migration management. Frontex helps spot potential weak points and strengthen
Europe’s resilience.
We do this by using our own surveillance assets and by receiving, integrating, analysing and
disseminating intelligence from a wealth of sources, including national border guard
authorities. We use this Europe-wide picture to coordinate the response to a variety of
threats, including smuggling, trafficking in human beings and terrorism.
To take just one example: our Maritime Aerial Surveillance (MAS) has become an integral
part of our operations, and a permanent service offered to national authorities. MAS uses
surveillance airplanes and drones that stream video and other data from EU and Schengen
external borders directly to our headquarters in Warsaw and to national and European
authorities, allowing for real-time monitoring.
At the European Monitoring Room in Warsaw, experts from a variety of countries work
together to monitor the incoming information. Frontex planes routinely detect boats in
distress at sea, providing quick reaction and coordination that allows national authorities to
launch rescue missions.

We also work to assess risks at the borders and then to reduce vulnerability to challenges
and support national authorities in their response. Risk analysis guides all Frontex activities,
helping us decide where our human and technical resources should be deployed. Frontex
also supports the Member States by providing remote command and control capacity and
crisis management support

Eurosur

Eurosur is the information-exchange framework designed to improve the management of

Europe’s external borders. It aims to support Member States by increasing their situational
awareness and reaction capability in combating cross-border crime, tackling irregular
migration and preventing loss of migrant lives at sea.

The backbone of Eurosur is a network of National Coordination Centres (NCCs). Each

member state establishes an NCC, which groups the authorities responsible for border
control in a given member state. The main role of the NCC is to coordinate the border
surveillance activities on national level and serve as a hub for the exchange of information.
The NCCs collect local and national information about what takes place at the border,
including illegal border crossings and criminal activity. The data processed by the NCC
personnel creates a national situational picture. The NCCs are also responsible for sharing
the relevant information with other member states and Frontex. Based on this input and
information from other sources, Frontex creates the European situational picture and the
common pre-frontier intelligence picture (focused on areas beyond the Schengen Area and
EU borders).
The two pictures created by Frontex contain information on the events that recently took
place at the borders, operational activities and analysis. These are created and maintained by
Frontex and shared with Member States through the NCC network. None of the information
currently exchanged within Eurosur contains personal data.
In addition to maintaining and sharing the situational pictures, Frontex also provides
information collected from satellites and other surveillance tools at the European level.
Member states can use such information to further improve their situational awareness. The
collection of these services, called Eurosur Fusion Services, facilitates access to state of the
art technologies, help reduce the duplication of efforts by member states and reduces costs.
The Eurosur Fusion Services include automated vessel tracking and detection capabilities,
software functionalities allowing complex calculations for detecting anomalies and
predicting vessel positions, as well as precise weather and oceanographic forecasts. Fusion
Services use optical and radar satellite technology to locate vessels suspected to be engaged
in people smuggling that often puts the lives of migrants in danger. Many of the services are
delivered in cooperation with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the EU
Satellite Centre (SatCen).

Besides close-to-real-time services, Frontex also makes available a wide range of analytical
products tailored for operational use within Eurosur.
Eurosur goes beyond situational awareness by indicating the adequate level of operational
reaction at different border sections. For this purpose, Member States have divided their
external land and sea borders into sections. Each of this border sections is attributed an
impact level — low, medium or high — which refer to the security of a given border section
assessed against identified risk levels for illegal border crossing or cross-border crime.
Measures to be taken to reduce the risks remain the responsibility of individual Member
States, although in the case of “high impact level” border areas they may request operational
assistance from Frontex in the form of prioritised spatial services, a joint operation or rapid
intervention.
The Eurosur Regulation contains a range of fundamental rights safeguards, including the
principles of data protection and non-refoulement, or the practice of not forcing migrants to
return to a state where they may be subject to persecution.

Risk analysis

Risk analysis is the starting point for all Frontex activities, from high level strategic
decision-making to planning and implementation of operational activities.
Frontex collects a wide range of data from Member States, EU bodies, its partner countries
and organisations, as well as from open sources on the situation at and beyond Europe’s
borders. The data is analysed with the aim of creating a picture of the situation at the EU’s
external borders and the key factors influencing and driving it.
Beyond establishing trends and identifying risks, Frontex also provides advice on
appropriate operational responses to various challenges, including cross-border crime, at the
EU external borders. This helps optimise the use of available resources and maximise the
effectiveness of actions taken. The agency’s risk analysis is used to advise high level
decision-making as well for daily coordination of joint operations.

Frontex’s risk analysis activities fall into three categories: Strategic Analysis, Operational
Analysis and Third Country Analysis. Strategic Analysis is aimed mostly at high-level
strategic decision-makers, while Operational Analysis supports Frontex-coordinated Joint
Operations. Third Country Analysis is committed to long-term cooperation with external
partners in regions where threats and challenges for the EU external border originate and
which they pass through (Western Balkans, Turkey, Eastern Partnership, and Africa).

Strategic risk analysis

In order to deliver strategic risk analysis products, Frontex brings together information from
a wide range of sources including national authorities, EU partners EU partners (such as the
European Commission, EASO, Europol, EEAS, EU SATCEN and Eurostat), international
organisations (such as UNHCR, IOM, Interpol), Frontex’s own operational activities and
open sources.

Frontex analyses the collected information to establish and maintain common situational
awareness regarding patterns and trends in irregular migration and cross-border criminal
activities impacting EU external borders and the so-called secondary movements within the
Schengen area. Strategic risk analyses enable informed decision-making on priorities and
appropriate risk mitigation measures.
Frontex exchanges information with its different partners regularly and in a structured
manner based on the Common Integrated Risk Analysis Model (CIRAM). The collaborative
risk analysis networks are an essential feature of Frontex strategic risk analysis work.
Currently there are six risk analysis networks active in the field of strategic risk analysis.
Frontex Risk Analysis Network (FRAN) connects Frontex with Member States’ risk
analysis and intelligence experts. The FRAN provides the framework for sharing
knowledge, carrying out joint analytical work and producing analytical and strategic reports
on the current state of play at the external borders. The European Document Fraud Risk
Analysis Network (EDF-RAN) is a sub-network of the FRAN enabling Member States’
document fraud experts to engage in structured and regular information exchange and to
work collaboratively.

Given the success of the FRAN, Frontex has rolled out this concept also for joint analytical
work to many of its non-EU partner countries. Regional risk analysis networks represent an
opportunity for mutually beneficial information and knowledge sharing between the EU and
the participating countries on a continuous and structured basis. The knowledge generated
within these networks feeds into planning of participants’ own border management activities
but also to higher level strategic and even EU funded capacity building activities.

Strategic risk analysis products are problem and future-oriented all-sources assessments.
Especially annual risk analysis reports provide more in-depth situational awareness by
among others identifying key factors driving the situation at the external borders.
Monitoring of these key drivers and critical change factors enables Frontex to provide early
warning as required also by the Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard.
Situational awareness is maintained through different periodicals – quarterly, monthly, bi-
weekly and even daily reports – as required and assessed fit-for-purpose.

Operational analysis

In addition to creating a wider picture of the main trends in irregular migration and other
phenomena in the medium and long term, Frontex also pays close attention to the daily
developments in the areas of its joint operations at the external borders. Operational
personnel made available by the Member States report back continuously via coordination
centres on changes in the methods used of the people smugglers and other factors affecting
joint operations. Smuggling networks pay close attention to operational activities at the
border and adjust their tactics. For this reason, information such as the main nationalities of
migrants, the routes they have taken and other details about the smuggling networks
involved are all collected and analysed in order to maximise the effectiveness of operations.

This process already begins before a joint operation is launched. A specific assessment is
drafted for the preparation of the planning of all operations describing the main trends,
routes and methods used by smugglers for the key regions mostly targeted by smuggling
networks. This assessment points to where joint operations should be launched, for which
period and what should be their focus. When a specific operation in set to be launched, the
operational analysts focus on a higher level of details on the most likely routes used by
people smugglers, their likely methods and other specific phenomena at local level. These
details are then incorporated into a tactical focused assessment (TFA), which in turn is used
to finalise the operational plan to determine exactly what types of technical equipment are
most appropriate for a given operation. For example, it would show whether to use fast
boats or larger vessels or whether helicopters or airplanes would be best suited to a given
environment. The precise location and length of joint operations are also determined largely
by the TFA.

All this intelligence is then fed back to operational personnel via international, national and
local coordination centres to constantly refine the daily operational procedures to maximise
effectiveness.
The Eurosur Regulation requires Frontex to assess the impact of migration and cross border
crime on all sea and land sections at the external border of the Member States of the
European Union. This task is carried out by operational analysts who regularly look at the
factors that influence the level of threat, vulnerability and impact on each of the sections.
Operational analysis yields a great number of periodic reports that provide a fresh and
detailed picture not only for operational personnel but also for Frontex management, the
European Commission and national and international law enforcement bodies. All the data
gathered through operational analysis are also used in the strategic analysis process to keep
the situational picture as up-to-date as possible.

Third Country Analysis

Frontex remains committed to long-term cooperation with external partners in regions

neighbouring the EU (Western Balkans, Turkey, Eastern Partnership, and Africa), striving to
provide up-to-date situational awareness and enhanced analytical capabilities for the benefit
of all partners’ border management authorities.

Given the success of the FRAN (EU-level Risk Analysis Network), Frontex has also rolled
out the network approach to risk analysis for analytical work with many of its non-EU
partner countries. Regional risk analysis networks provide an opportunity for continuous,
structured and mutually beneficial sharing of information and knowledge between the EU
and the participating countries.
The knowledge generated within the regional networks feeds into the planning /
coordination of participants’ own border management activities, as well as higher level
strategic work and EU-funded capacity building activities.

Regular data exchange, joint analytical activities and constant communications within the
framework of the regional networks combines with other source monitoring to provide an
analytical overview of the regional situations beyond the EU’s external borders, allowing
contextualization of more operational exchanges of information and activities (e.g. bilateral
case analysis and directed investigations).

In line with art. 29 par. 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, the Third Country Analysis Sector
also hosts the development of the Frontex pre-warning mechanism, whose main goal is to
increase preparedness to face future challenges related to irregular migration and cross-
border crime throughout the four tiers of the EIBM, identifying and assessing possible
threats, producing both predictive and forecasting analytics plus early warnings to support
both operational and strategic planning.

Return operations

Every year, many people come to the EU, but not everyone is allowed to stay. Non-EU
nationals who have exhausted their legal right to stay in the territory of Member States have
to return to their country of origin. It also includes those who requested international
protection but were not granted one.
The key concept in the return policy is ‘the legal right to stay’ – without it, non-EU citizens
cannot stay in the EU/Schengen zone.

Who takes the decision?

Only the administrative or judicial authorities in the EU/Schengen zone countries have the
power to issue a return decision based on an individual assessment of each case.
Any person subject to a return decision or other administrative decisions has the right to
appeal against them. Consequently, the authorities in the EU/Schengen zone decide on
possible appeals against a return decision or the denied asylum requests.
Upon receiving the decision, the person must return to their country of origin, a country of
transit, or another non-EU country, to which they voluntarily decide to return and which is
open to accept them.
Frontex has no role in these procedures and does not enter into the merits of return decisions
issued by national authorities. Only when a return decision is adopted and is legally
enforceable (i.e., when the person has had the possibility to use all legal remedies such as
appeals and there are no legal obstacles to implement the decision), can Frontex provide
operational and technical support to a requesting EU/Schengen country within the different
phases of the return process.

Return procedure explained

The return process always begins either with the adoption of a return decision, or a person’s
expression of willingness to return to their country of origin, and covers different stages:
pre-return, the actual return, and post-return. Each stage entails a number of different
activities.

During the pre-return phase, several key conditions for return have to be fulfilled, in
particular identification and proper travel documents. This always requires cooperation from
the countries of return and their diplomatic missions in the EU.
The return phase, meaning the travel itself, lasts until the person arrives at the destination
and, in case of non-voluntary return, when he or she is successfully handed over to the
authorities of the country of return. If the handover is rejected by the authorities, this person
is taken back to the EU/Schengen zone.
The Member State which issued the return decision may agree to provide the person
returned with post-arrival support, which means immediate help on arrival and for the first
few days right after (hotel, registration in the country of return, onward transportation etc.).
However, a long-term support, called reintegration assistance, can also be provided to assist
people to rebuild a life in the country of return. It can include training, help with setting up a
new business, etc. It is always up to the Member State to decide, who can receive what kind
of help, how much help and for how long.

The role of Frontex in returns

Frontex can provide operational and technical support to a requesting EU/Schengen country
within the different phases of the return process , from pre-return, through the coordination
and implementation of the return operation, to post-arrival support.
Frontex’s assistance to Member States in returns may also take form of long-term and ad
hoc deployments of standing corps officers with specific return profiles, called Frontex
Return Escort and Support Officers. They are deployed in key Member States’ airports and
other locations providing assistance on the ground. Their task may be as well to escort non-
EU nationals on board of flights in order to ensure safety, security and wellbeing during the
whole return operation, including transits.
The agency can only provide support:
• upon formal request from a Member State, or
• on its own initiative, but always with the agreement of the Member State(s)
concerned;
• to governmental authorities of EU Member States;
• in relation to the return of non-EU citizens who do not enjoy the right to stay, legal
residence and/or international protection in the territory of an EU Member State.
Remember:
• Only the judicial or administrative authorities of the Member States decide who must
be returned (by force or voluntarily).
• The European legislation gives every person subject to a return decision
the possibility to appeal against it.
• Frontex cannot and does not enter into the merits of these decisions of the Member
States, and of the definition of voluntary return according to the national legal framework.

Pre-return support

During the pre-return phase, several key conditions for return have to be fulfilled, in
particular identification and proper travel documents. This always requires cooperation from
the countries of return and their diplomatic missions in the EU.
In the pre-return support to Member States, Frontex may:
• help to identify returnees and collect relevant (travel) documentation,
• assist and advise the national authorities in the process of consular engagement and
operational cooperation with non-EU countries,
• help to enhance Member States’ and non-EU countries’ capacity in return and
readmission activities, including capacity building projects,
• deploy European return liaison officers in non-EU countries,
• propose good practices and procedures as well as facilitate the exchange of
knowledge between return experts,
• deploy standing corps return specialists with specific areas of expertise, such as
identification procedures, acquisition of travel documents with respect to non-EU countries,
return IT systems, and return and reintegration counselling.

Support in implementing returns

Frontex can provide:

• technical assistance to Member States’ voluntary returns,
• coordination as well as operational and technical support to return operations
organised by Member States,

Frontex can also organise its own return operations. Returns supported by Frontex take
place primarily by air – on charter and scheduled flights – but the agency may also organise
returns by other means of transport, such as by sea or land.
Member States and Frontex together ensure that the fundamental rights of returnees,
including the principle of non-refoulement, as well as the proportionate use of force are
respected during all supported returns.
Voluntary returns

Voluntary returns are the most humane, effective, and sustainable form of returns. They are
the preferred type of return under the EU migration policy. Frontex’s support in this area has
been consistently growing since the extension of its mandate in the end of 2019. Voluntary
returns are one of the main contributing factors to the overall significant growth in the
number of Frontex-supported returns in the recent years.
In 2022, out of the 24 850 people returned with Frontex's support, 40% returned voluntarily.

Return operations by charter flights

In return operation, returnees are accompanied by escort officers, medical staff, translators,
fundamental rights monitors, and other support staff from Member States.
Member States may join their return efforts by organizing joint return operations. If a
Member State organises an operation to a specific country, they can share seats on their
flight with other Member States. Frontex serves as an information hub and coordinator for
everyone involved.

Returns by scheduled flights

Frontex may assist Member States by coordinating and financing returns by scheduled
(commercial) flights. The agency facilitates the booking and the purchase of flight tickets
through a dedicated IT tool, it provides helpdesk support, takes direct contact with air
carriers, and may deploy officers to support such returns.

Collecting return operations

Frontex can coordinate collecting return operations, where returnees are picked up from the
departure airport by the authorities of their country of destination. The means of transport
and escort officers are provided by that non-EU country.
• All escorts of the non-EU country of return are trained by the agency to comply with
EU standards. Their training always includes a fundamental rights component.
• All collecting return operations happen in the presence of at least one forced-return
monitor on board to ensure the respect of fundamental rights as well as at least one Member
State representative.

Frontex-organised return operations

While most of the time Frontex coordinates return operations organised by EU countries,
the agency may organise returns on its own initiative. In such a case, Frontex takes over
certain tasks from Member States, such as setting up the operational procedures and the
timeframe, chartering the aircraft, engaging officers from the standing corps and contacting
the national authorities of the country of return.

Return digitalisation

Frontex provides digital tools and information management systems to support Member
States. More specifically, Frontex helps to improve national return case management
systems through the RECAMAS reference model – a blueprint for a comprehensive, ideal
return case management system based on the best practices and lessons learned. Agency’s
specialists compare this model with the actual system in the Member State, conduct a gap
analysis and make recommendations for improvements. The actual adaptations of the
national systems may be supported by Frontex, either financially or through deployment of
national experts.
Moreover, Frontex runs a centralised information system, the integrated return
management application (IRMA), for secure strategic and operational return information
exchange, which allows:
• monthly statistics on return,
• a qualitative assessment of non-EU countries’ cooperation in the area of readmission
and data used by the European Commission in its reporting, as mandated by the Visa Code,
• management of Member States’ needs for forced and voluntary returns.
Return digitalisation activities also include projects and activities with IT components, for
example the development of an application for reintegration assistance.

Monitoring of return operations

The EU law requires that return operations are monitored for the respect of fundamental
rights. For this purpose, each Member State must establish an effective forced-return
monitoring system.
In Frontex, the monitoring can be done:
• by forced-return monitors who are either nominated and deployed directly by Member
States’ institutions competent for monitoring or from the forced-return monitor pool
managed by Frontex; or
• by fundamental rights monitors employed by the agency.

Good Practices in Returning Children with Families

It is Frontex responsibility to consider the special needs of persons in a particularly

vulnerable situation, in every activity we implement together with the Member States.
Protecting vulnerable migrants is also a fundamental part of the Agency`s mandate on
returns. We want to make sure that people who need special protection are treated properly.

Every child has special rights, including to be treated with dignity, to be heard, to receive
information, to participate in decision-making and to receive healthcare if needed. Because
of children’s particular needs and vulnerabilities, special care to ensure that these rights are
respected during the entire return procedure is essential. Children have the right to know
what return will mean for them and, depending on their age, this also requires that those
who work with them know how to efficiently communicate with them.
For this reason, we have developed a set of tools for children in return and for those
working with children, and we plan to do the same also for other vulnerable groups in the
future.
In close cooperation with child psychologists and child education experts, as well as in
consultation with the Agency`s Fundamental Rights Office and the Consultative Forum,
Frontex has developed a “Toolbox for Children in Return” which includes the following:

• Good Practices on Returning Children with Families, already publicly available. It

includes some best practices of Member States in returning families with children
• Age-appropriate Guidebooks for children, simple text and illustrations describing
what the young readers can expect during the return process, and how they can ask for help
if they need it. The Guidebooks explain who makes a return decision, and the different steps
of their return, such as the acquisition of travel documents, airport, and flights` security
procedures. The Guidebooks also offers spaces for children to express, in words and
pictures, what they are feeling at various stages of the process:
• Activity Book to help children aged 4-11 cope with their emotions during return (11
languages)
• Guidebooks for three age groups (6-11, 12-17 and Unaccompanied Children) which
provide information about the return procedure in an age-appropriate manner (available in
11 languages – four EU and seven non-EU)
• A Guidebook for Parents or Guardians with practical information on how to help
children during a return, including providing emotional support (11 languages)
• A Manual for Migration Officers on how to use the tools (available in all EU
languages)
• A specific training, Families and Children in Return (FACIR), for experts who deal
with children in migration
• A practical workshop for experts, both police officers and civil servants, who deal
with children in migration

Starting in 2024, people from more than 60 visa-free countries will need to get a travel
authorisation before coming to Europe for a brief stay. The authorisation will be processed
through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
ETIAS will further strengthen Europe’s internal security by carrying pre-travel screening of
visa-free travellers to determine whether they pose a security, illegal immigration, or public
health risk.
The entire ETIAS ecosystem is complex and consists of the ETIAS Central Unit hosted by
Frontex, ETIAS National Units located in 30 European countries, and the large-scale
information system developed and maintained by eu-LISA.

How it will work

Before travelling
Citizens of over 60 visa-free countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation
before heading to any of the 30 European countries shown below.
The ETIAS system will check the information provided by the applicant with data already
stored in other EU systems such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa
Information System (VIS) and Entry/Exit System (EES). If the application raises any
concerns, it will be reviewed by the ETIAS Central Unit and sent to the relevant ETIAS
National Unit for final decision.
It is expected that most applications (about 97%) will be approved automatically within
minutes. The remaining 3% will be reviewed manually by the ETIAS Central Unit and the
National Units.
Travellers who do not have a valid travel authorisation will be refused boarding by the
carrier (for example, an airline, bus or ferry company).
At the border
When a visa-free traveller arrives at a border of one of the 30 European countries requiring
ETIAS, border guards will scan their travel document data electronically and register them
in the EES, triggering a query to ETIAS. If the traveller has a valid travel authorisation, they
will be able to cross the border if all other entry conditions are also fulfilled.

More information about what ETIAS means for travellers from visa-free countries can be
found on the official ETIAS website.

The role of Frontex in ETIAS

Frontex plays an important role in establishing and managing ETIAS by hosting the ETIAS
Central Unit, which will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle ETIAS
applications and help travellers and carriers.

The ETIAS Central Unit is also responsible for identifying risks, risk indicators and
screening rules. These will be used to assess travellers in terms of illegal immigration,
security and high epidemic risks. The Unit’s responsibilities also include managing the
content of the official ETIAS website, as well as ensuring that the information stored in the
system is accurate and up to date.

Fundamental rights and ETIAS

The protection of fundamental rights is at the core of all ETIAS operations.

The ETIAS Fundamental Rights Guidance Board has been set up to assess the impact of
processing applications and the screening rules on fundamental rights.
The Guidance Board is composed of representatives of the Frontex Fundamental Rights
Office, the Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights of Frontex, the European Data
Protection Supervisor, the European Data Protection Board, and the European Union
Agency for Fundamental Rights.

As an independent advisory body, the Fundamental Rights Guidance Board will regularly
carry out evaluations and make recommendations to the ETIAS Screening Board regarding
its work, particularly regarding privacy, data protection and non-discrimination. The ETIAS
Central Unit will consult the opinion of the ETIAS Screening Board to ensure that risk
screening is carried out in full respect for fundamental rights.
Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network
The JHA Agencies’ Network has an important role to play in Europe. It connects the EU
Agencies protecting the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. Together, the JHA agencies
contribute to the implementation of EU’s objectives in the fields of migration, asylum and
external border management, the fight against organised crime, drug trafficking and
terrorism, gender equality and respect for fundamental rights. They also facilitate the
functioning of relevant EU IT systems, contribute to EU activities on drugs and drugs
addiction and facilitate law-enforcement training.
The JHA Agencies’ Network includes nine agencies: CEPOL, EASO, EIGE, EMCDDA, eu-
LISA, Eurojust, Europol, FRA and Frontex.

The final report on the activities of the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies Network in 2021,
under Frontex chairmanship, is available here along with the assessment of the Network’s
achievements and working methods.

Priorities of the JHA Agencies’ Network in 2022

In 2022, the JHA Agencies' Network will focus on three main thematic priorities:
• Digital transformation;
• European Green Deal and the JHA agencies' contribution to achieving its objectives;
• JHA agencies' cooperation with third countries.
Under the CEPOL Presidency, the JHA agencies will also be focusing on training as an
overall priority. Efforts will be dedicated to meaningful inter-agency discussions on the
impact of the pandemic on current learning methods and environments; the digitalisation of
training; and training needs analyses and digital skills gaps in law enforcement.

Fundamental Rights at Frontex

Fundamental Rights at Frontex Fundamental Rights Office Fundamental Rights
Monitors Pool of Forced-Return Monitors
Respect for and protection of fundamental rights are unconditional and essential
components of effective integrated border management. Frontex strictly adheres to the
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention on Human
Rights, and relevant instruments of international and human rights law, including the 1951
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
Fundamental rights are integrated into the Frontex Codes of Conduct, the Common Core
Curricula for border guards, and more specialised trainings, such as courses designed
specifically for sea or land border surveillance officers or forced-return monitors. These
policies and guidelines raise the understanding of fundamental rights and enable officers to
identify potential violations.
Prior to deployment, all Frontex staff, as well as border guards and members of other
relevant authorities from Member States participating in Frontex operations, receive training
on fundamental rights, access to international protection, including the respect for the
principle of non-refoulement, and, where appropriate, search and rescue. Fundamental rights
are always included in operational briefings for standing corps officers deployed by Frontex.
In addition, safeguards and obligations to report potential violations of fundamental rights
are integrated into all operational plans.
Following 2011 amendments to the Frontex Regulation, the position of a Fundamental
Rights Officer and a Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights were created and
embedded into Frontex’s structure. With the entry into force of the current Regulation (EU)
2019/1896, the mandate and capacities of the agency and of the Fundamental Rights Officer
were extended. These new changes were accompanied by legislative and practical efforts to
ensure full compliance with fundamental rights in all Frontex activities.
The main components of Frontex’s fundamental rights protection and monitoring
system are:
• The Fundamental Rights Officer and fundamental rights monitors assess the
fundamental rights compliance of Frontex activities, including return operations, provide
advice and assistance in this regard, while contributing to the promotion of fundamental
rights as part of European integrated border management. Through their work, they are a
prominent element of Frontex’s fundamental rights monitoring system.
• The Fundamental Rights Strategy serves as a guiding framework for aligning the
agency’s activities with fundamental rights standards and principles. It outlines the
implications of fundamental rights on Frontex’s work on integrated border management and
sets out the requirements for the agency to comply with its obligations stemming from EU
and international law, including concrete steps to promote and protect the fundamental
rights of those who cross the EU’s external borders.
• The strategy has been developed into an Action Plan that includes practical
fundamental rights safeguards to ensure respect for, as well as effective protection,
fulfilment, and promotion of fundamental rights of those who cross the EU in accordance
with national, international and EU law. It provides guidance on fundamental rights-related
matters in all areas of Frontex’s work, including risk analysis, vulnerability assessment,
operational plans for European Border and Coast Guard operational activities, search and
rescue operations, return, responsibilities of participants in Frontex’ activities, training,
research and innovation, as well as cooperation with third countries.
• A Serious Incident Report (SIR) procedure stems from the EBCG Regulation and the
Frontex Codes of Conduct and obliges every participant in Frontex operational activities to
immediately report in the form of a Serious Incident Report any situation of possible
violations of fundamental rights. These may include 1) violations of the EU acquis or
international law; 2) violations of the provisions of the Frontex Codes of Conduct; 3)
situations with serious actual or potential negative implications on the agency’s core tasks.
The Fundamental Rights Officer together with the staff of the Fundamental Rights Office
handle the Serious Incident Reports of fundamental rights relevance;
• The complaints mechanism allows for the submission of individual complaints from
persons who are directly affected by the actions, or failure to act, of staff involved in
Frontex activities, and who consider themselves to have been subject to a breach of their
fundamental rights due to those actions or failure to act;
• The Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights, established in 2012, provides
independent advice to the agency on the respect for as well as the protection and promotion
of fundamental rights in all Frontex activities;
• A supervisory mechanism on the use of force provides a framework for the agency to
monitor the application of the provisions on the use of force by its statutory staff and
relevant follow-ups, including a reporting obligation for incidents on the use of force that
has been extended to all members of the standing corps.
The Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, under Article 110, foresees the establishment of
fundamental rights monitors as statutory staff of Frontex. Deployed to the operational areas
on behalf of the Fundamental Rights Officer (FRO), they monitor and assess the
fundamental rights compliance of Frontex activities, including return operations, provide
advice and assistance in this regard, while contributing to the promotion of fundamental
rights as part of European integrated border management. Through their work, the monitors
are a prominent element of Frontex’s fundamental rights monitoring system. As the
‘extension’ of the FRO in the field, they support the agency in upholding its fundamental
rights obligations.

The monitors observe the activities undertaken by Frontex, documenting their compliance
with applicable fundamental rights standards. They also monitor the procedures related to
border management and returns and the environment in which those are implemented. They
not only assess compliance with fundamental rights, but also play an important role in
flagging challenges and risks as well as opportunities for the promotion of EU and
international law. In this context, the monitors cooperate with Frontex coordinating officers,
advise and assist on matters related to fundamental rights, and report to the Fundamental
Rights Officer on potential concerns. They also contribute to the training on fundamental
rights and assist the FRO in ensuring that Frontex operational documents align with
international and European fundamental rights standards.
Frontex launched a pilot project for the period from November 2019 till June 2021, in
cooperation with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) to establish
the function of the fundamental rights monitors. Within this framework, the FRO and FRA
conducted pilot monitoring visits to operational areas to test the most effective means for
monitoring and tailor the modalities of deployment, conduct and tasks of the monitors. FRA
has also supported the FRO in the recruitment process of the first batch of monitors.

As of December 2022, the Fundamental Rights Office finalised the recruitment of 46 highly
qualified and experienced in relevant areas fundamental rights monitors. Following their
recruitment, the monitors undergo enhanced general and specialised training to enrich their
expertise and to allow them to discharge their duties in accordance with the highest
standards.