European Gendarmerie Force

The European Gendarmerie Force, also known by its acronym EUROGENDFOR, is a European rapid reaction force comprising elements of several European gendarmerie forces. It is currently integrated with thirteen countries: eight member states (France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Poland and Romania), one partner (Finland) and four observers (Turkey, Moldova, Ukraine and Bulgaria). 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.

Its unique officer selection and training process enables it to work with the population, and its officers from thirteen gendarmeries reflect the highest standards of policing in the European Union. Up to 800 officers could be deployed within 30 days of receiving a transfer notice. Its gendarmes would operate in tactical and austere environments performing a variety of tasks such as training, mentoring, substitution of local police-security forces and protection of population amongst others. Its most noticeable qualities are versatility, adaptability and rapid deployment.

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.

It was established by an agreement in 2004 between five member states of the European Union (EU): France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Romania joined in 2008 and Poland received full member status in 2013. In 2009, Lithuania received partner status and Turkey received observer status; in 2025, Lithuania became a full member. Moldova obtained observer status in 2023 followed by Ukraine in 2024. At the beginning of 2026, two new members obtained different status Finland as partner and Bulgaria as observer. The organisation's status is enshrined in the Treaty of Velsen signed on 18 October 2007. The Permanent Headquarters is located in Vicenza, Italy.

Only EU Countries with a Gendarmerie-type force can be granted with the EUROGENDFOR full membership. The partner status is granted when the Gendarmerie-type force of a EU Country has only few police capabilities, while the observer status could be granted to those Countries that hold the status of candidate to the European Union

It is not currently established at the EU level as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Therefore, it is not a project of the Permanent Structured Cooperation of the CSDP. It may however contribute in the implementation of the CSDP, when made available as a multinational force in accordance with article 42.3 of the Treaty on European Union.