EU countries are weighing plans to hand Frontex powers to assist with airspace surveillance and the protection of critical infrastructure, according to confidential Council documents seen by Euractiv.
The move comes amid mounting concern over a series of drone incursions into European airspace in recent months, including at sensitive military and civilian facilities in Belgium over the weekend.
A Council note, dated 30 October and circulated to EU countries by the Danish presidency, shows that EU capitals are debating whether the European Border and Coast Guard Agency – commonly known as Frontex – should assume additional responsibilities to address hybrid threats, from airspace violations to protection of strategic assets.
The review of Frontex’s mandate, slated for next year, was first announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year and is now part of the EU’s 2026 work plan.
Envoys are expected to discuss the matter at a technical meeting on 5 November.
The debate signals growing appetite among capitals to align Frontex’s mission with Europe’s shifting security environment, and comes just months after the agency adopted a NATO-inspired style chain of command.
At present, Frontex supports EU countries in managing their external borders by providing assistance on the ground, combating cross-border crime, gathering information, and assisting with return procedures.
Speaking last month alongside German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner suggested that Frontex’s mandate could eventually extend to drone defence and airport protection – a politically sensitive topic amid reports of Russia-linked disruptions at civilian airports and snooping at military bases across the bloc.
The Council note suggests such measures could require changes to Frontex’s regulations. This might involve allowing the agency to step in at a member state’s request during hybrid-threat situations by updating rules on rapid border interventions, hotspot areas, and migration management support teams – or creating a separate provision for agency support in cases of instrumentalisation of migration and other hybrid threats.
Outside the EU
A separate Council Presidency discussion paper pushes to hand Frontex more power to work with third countries.
Capitals want the agency to move beyond its existing deals with six Western Balkan states and deploy teams at major international airports or other key crossing points. The agency could also take on an enhanced role in conducting “pre-departure” checks of travellers bound for the Schengen area.
Capitals are also reiterating their call for the ability to deploy return teams to non-EU countries and to let Frontex coordinate returns from one third country to another. That could ease pressure along migration routes, as reported by Euractiv last month.
Member states will also consider whether Frontex should help support “return hubs” set up under bilateral deals with third countries, effectively extending the agency’s operational footprint beyond the EU’s borders.
The debate comes as the Commission plans to expand the agency’s standing corps. In her 2024 political guidelines, von der Leyen pledged to triple the size of the European Border and Coast Guard to 30,000 by 2027.
But capitals remain cautious, insisting that the agency’s “future mandate and tasks” must be clearly defined before any expansion goes ahead.
(jp, cz)
