Long-term EMN study providing an overview of EU-funded measures and the efforts of EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries to tackle human trafficking.
EMN study | Human trafficking
EMN study: ‘Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension'
17 July 2025
Study period – 2021 to 2023
Participating EU Member States – Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Cyprus (CY), Czechia (CZ), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Greece (EL), Finland (FI), France (FR), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Croatia (HR), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Latvia (LV), the Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Sweden (SE), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI)
Participating EMN Observer Countries – Georgia (GE), Serbia (RS)
Background and scope
- The study focuses on measures with an international component. General efforts to combat human trafficking are not included.
- An international component exists where there is involvement of, or cooperation with, international partners, cross-border activities, or measures specifically targeting victims from particular regions.
- The international dimension of human trafficking is a priority in the EU Strategy on combating human trafficking 2021–2025, adopted on 14 April 2021. The European Commission links this strategy to the renewed EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling. The European Migration Pact also includes stronger safeguards for vulnerable groups, including victims of human trafficking.
- Specifically, measures introduced to tackle the international dimension of human trafficking is examined, with an emphasis on prevention and reducing demand.
- The study also maps, in addition to challenges and successes, existing needs.
EMN publications
- EMN study, ‘Trafficking in human beings - the international dimension’, 16 July 2025
- EMN inform (summary), 'Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension', 16 July 2025
- EMN flash (highlights), 'Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension', 16 July 2025
- EMN press release, 'New EMN study examines international efforts to combat trafficking in human beings', 16 July 2025
EMN Netherlands publications
- News item, ‘How do the EU. EU Member States, and other European countries tackle human trafficking internationally?’, 17 July 2025
- EMN Netherlands contribution to the EMN Study: 'National contribution of the Netherlands to the EMN Study ‘Trafficking in human beings - the international dimension’
