The report states that 100 people were arrested in Spain on suspicion of offences connected to Islamist extremism, the highest figure among all EU member states. Across the European Union, 486 terrorism-related arrests were made during the year, with 347 of those linked to Islamist extremism, making it the largest category of terrorism-related investigations.
France recorded the second-highest number of Islamist terrorism arrests with 64 suspects, followed by the Netherlands and Austria with 40 each, Belgium with 30, and Italy with 26.
Europol said the most common alleged offences involved the dissemination of terrorist propaganda, membership of terrorist organisations, preparing terrorist attacks, and participation in the activities of extremist groups.
The report also highlighted the continuing terrorist threat facing Europe. A total of 45 terrorist attacks were recorded across the EU in 2025. Of these, 24 were linked to Islamist extremism, 12 were attributed to left-wing and anarchist extremists, and five were connected to right-wing extremism. The remaining incidents involved other ideological motivations.
According to Europol, 22 attacks were successfully carried out, 20 were prevented by security services before they could take place, and three failed to achieve their intended objective. The completed attacks resulted in the deaths of six people, while many others were injured.
Europol further warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has significantly increased tensions and political polarisation across Europe. Investigators noted a rise in extremist rhetoric and warned that antisemitism has increasingly become a common ideological theme across several violent extremist movements, regardless of their broader political or religious motivations.
The agency also reported that some radicalised individuals targeted Jewish communities and institutions across Europe, while intelligence indicated that certain suspects based within the European Union had sought to travel abroad or establish links with Iranian-backed proxy organisations.
European security agencies continue to monitor the evolving threat landscape closely, warning that online radicalisation, encrypted communications, and international conflicts remain significant drivers of extremist activity. Europol said close cooperation between EU member states and international partners remains essential in identifying threats, preventing attacks, and disrupting terrorist networks operating across Europe.
Source: Europol – European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT) 2025.