The European Gendarmerie Force is a rapid reaction force comprising elements of several European gendarmeries. EUROGENDFOR is responsible for carrying out policing duties within the scope of crisis management operations.
This flexible tool can act under military command or civil authority to guarantee public security, and maintenance of public order in crisis management operations. EUROGENDFOR is first and foremost, at the disposal of the EU, but it could also respond to requests by the UN, OSCE, NATO, and other international organisations or ad-hoc coalitions. Its operational deployment requires a unanimous decision to be taken by Member States.
The creation of this unique institution in the field of policing seeks to contribute to the development of the European security and defence identity and the strengthening of the common European security and defence policy.
The military status of the Police Forces in EUROGENDFOR and its capacity to cover the full spectrum of police functions, grant the due flexibility to operate under a civilian chain of command and, in certain circumstances, even under a military chain of command. The circumstances will be defined and agreed on a case by case basis considering the scenario, the mission and the force to be deployed. Its mandate will always be supported by a clear legal basis consisting of relevant the UN Security Council Resolutions or on political guidelines from the EU or other IOs.
The added value that EUROGENDFOR can provide to international crisis management, in terms of potential to offer is an appropriate tool to act in a non-benign environment, in particular during substitution missions, and a rapid deployment capability.
Updated, August 2025.
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