Relying on critical components built by European companies, the new system enables seamless and stable real-time communication between all first responders, at all times and across all EU borders, even where terrestrial communication systems are unavailable.
Fires, floods, storms, drone threats to critical infrastructure or terrorist attacks need an effective and well-coordinated response from our police, firefighters, medical services and civil protection teams. Today, their ability to communicate with each other is limited – their communications systems are not connected and stop working when they cross a border. This means that emergency services often cannot communicate with other when they work to rescue people, restore security and public safety in crises and emergencies.
Announced by President von der Leyen in the Political Guidelines, the EU Critical Communication System will address these issues, significantly improving daily operational cooperation in the fight against terrorism and crime, and in saving lives in emergency situations, making the EU a safer place.
Read the full press release.
Find out more about connectivity in the EU.
Last update
1 October 2026