The International Police Cooperation Directorate is the national Authority responsible for handling matters of international police cooperation and planning police diplomacy actions. It serves as the central point of reference for the Hellenic Police on all issues pertaining to cooperation with foreign police and judicial Authorities, as well as with international Organizations. In this context, it performs a dual role: on the one hand, it functions as a channel of communication and information exchange with the corresponding Authorities of other states; on the other hand, it ensures that international cooperation is aligned with the operational and strategic needs of the Hellenic Police.
In accordance with Directive (EU) 2023/977, the IPCD operates as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Greece, ensuring the timely and secure handling of cases involving international police and judicial cooperation. In this framework, it is responsible for:
- exchanging information and dataregarding the prevention and combating of crime,
- processing urgent cases transmitted by national or foreign judicial andpolice Authorities,
- providing guidance and coordination of competent national Authorities,
- managing requests which fall within its mandate, as well as
- ensuring the operation of Hellenic Police Liaison Offices abroad.
The Single Point of Contact (SPOC) is supported by a unified electronic case management system, through which all international police cooperation requests are recorded, monitored, and processed.
Pursuant to Article 24 of Law 5187/2025, in order to fulfill this mission, the Directorate is structured into 5 departments, each with a specialized scope and mission. This structure ensures that every aspect of international cooperation is addressed in the most professional and institutional manner.
The Personnel Support and Missions Departmentis responsible for the administrative care of the Directorate’s personnel, whether serving within the country or seconded abroad, including those serving in international Organizations under unpaid leave status. Specifically, it is responsible for submitting recommendations regarding the travel of Hellenic Police personnel to sessions, conferences, and other events of international Organizations or European Union Bodies, for informing and guiding interested parties regarding announcements of police-related positions abroad, as well as for compiling candidate lists and drafting relevant recommendations to the competent Bodies. Additionally, it handles matters related to the secondment of police officers to diplomatic Authorities, international Organizations, and civilian missions, makes recommendations on defining the duties of Liaison Officers, and studies Decisions of international Organizations concerning the organization of police missions abroad in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, it is responsible for issuing Decisions on the transfer of wanted persons based on international or European warrants, providing translation and interpretation support to the Leadership and Executive Services of the Headquarters, as well as for the evaluation and selection of personnel to be seconded abroad. Finally, it provides guidance to Liaison Officers for the more effective performance of their duties and ensures the planning and monitoring of operational actions within the framework of the Strategic and Operational Program of the Hellenic Police.
The International and European Police Cooperation and Diplomacy Department* is responsible for drafting recommendations to the competent Bodies on matters in the field of justice and home affairs (JHA) of the European Union, as well as for organizing the representation of the Hellenic Police at sessions, conferences, and conventions of police interest. It is also responsible for cooperation with the permanent representations of Greece to the European Union and international Organizations, for recommending the participation of Hellenic Police representatives in working groups of international and European Bodies, as well as for the legislativeprocessing and implementation of police cooperation agreements with third countries, in cooperation with the co-competent Services of the Ministry of Citizen Protection. Furthermore, it ensures the monitoring and coordination of matters related to international agreements, supporting the central and regional Services of the Hellenic Police by providing instructions and guidance, as well as submitting recommendations to the Leadership regarding international issues of police interest. Finally, it handles the preparation of briefing folders for the Chief’s international meetings, monitors the implementation of strategic issues of international cooperation, and studies the organization and operation of foreign Police forces, with the aim of exchanging experiences and expertise through Liaison Officers and submitting relevant recommendations to the Director.
* The responsibilities of the International and European Police Cooperation and Diplomacy Department are currently exercised by the Personnel Support and Missions Department.
The INTERPOL Department (INTERPOL NCB Athens)operates as the national liaison Service of our country with the General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), as well as with the National Central Bureaus of the other Member States. Based on the provisions of the Organization’s Statute, as ratified by Law 3640/1956 and the Decisions of the General Assembly, the Department ensures continuous communication and cooperation between police, judicial, and other Authorities with the international Organization, for the effective prevention and suppression of crime.
In this context, it manages and transmits requests and information concerning all forms of criminal activity, exchanges operational data with the competent domestic and foreign Authorities, represents the Hellenic Police at international conventions and working groups, while also being responsible for handling European Arrest Warrants and international search notices. Additionally, it carries out transfers, cooperates with Police Liaison Officers and international Organizations, and continuously feeds INTERPOL databases with data related to serious crimes, disappearances, or threats to public safety.
The EUROPOL Department (Hellenic ENU)serves as the national liaison Service of Greek law enforcement Authorities, namely the Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard, as well as the co-competent Services of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), headquartered in The Hague. Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/794, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2022/991, and the relevant Decisions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the EU, the Department implements the competencies arising from the regulatory framework governing EUROPOL’s operation, with the aim of preventing and suppressing serious forms of transnational organized crime and terrorism.
In this context, it ensures the collection, analysis, and transmission of operational information between Greek Authorities and EU partners, the utilization of EUROPOL’s analytical tools, the registration and verification of data in its Information Systems, as well as the monitoring and implementation of Decisions of its Bodies. At the same time, it serves as the main point of contact for the circulation of requests and information through Liaison Officers in The Hague, ensuring the timely and secure exchange of data, compliance with personal data protection rules, and the representation of the country at operational meetings and working groups.
The SIReNE Department (Hellenic SIReNE Bureau)serves as the central Authority for the exchange of supplementary information (linked to its data) related to data registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS Recast), in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2018/1862, 2018/1861, and 2018/1860. In this framework, it ensures communication and information exchange with the National SIReNE Bureaus of other Member States, conducts consultations with the contracting parties regarding the registration or non-registration of supplementary data or deletion of data in the National System (National Schengen Information System – N.SIS), within the framework of the Schengen Implementation Convention, as well as cooperation with National Services and international Bodies involved in the implementation of the Schengen Acquis. It is also responsible for processing requests for police cooperation assistance, cross-border surveillance and pursuit, verification of the authenticity of medical certificates, as well as the exchange of information regarding the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime within the framework of the implementation of the Prüm Decisions (2008/615/JHA and 2008/616/JHA) and Presidential Decree 135/2013.
At the same time, it represents the Country in working groups of European Bodies, ensures the introduction, modification, or deletion of European Arrest Warrant measures in cooperation with the competent judicial and police Authorities for their implementation,including the transfer of persons. Furthermore, it handles cases of missing and vulnerable persons and searches for vehicles or objects, examines applications for access to Personal Data processed in the Schengen Information System, and informs users of the System about the correct application of the Regulations governing the proper operation of the Schengen Acquis. Finally, it ensures coordination and information exchange between co-competent Bodies, including the National ETIAS Unit, for the effective management of cases within its remit.
List of comcluded bilateral agreements of Police Cooperation & Readmission
