The Council of the European Union approves the law that strengthens the rights of victims of crimes.

Victims of crimes in the European Union will be able to report incidents more easily, including online, will have access to the European support line 116 006, and will benefit from clearer protections for personal data. The new directive updates the 2012 legislation on the rights, support, and protection of victims and must be transposed by member states within 24 months.

The Council of the European Union has given final approval for a directive that strengthens the rights of victims of crimes to information, support, and protection. The law updates the European framework from 2012 and introduces new obligations for member states, from digital reporting of crimes to access to the European support line 116 006.

Costas Fytiris, the Minister of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, stated that the new law sends "a clear message" that victims need strong protection of their rights and effective support. "No one should have to go through the aftermath of a crime alone," he said, adding that the 116 006 line will allow victims from any member state to receive information about their rights, support, and guidance when they need it most.

In short

The directive introduces the European line 116 006 to support victims of crimes, providing information about rights, emotional support, and guidance to available services.

Member states will need to facilitate the reporting of crimes through accessible digital tools when this is in the interest of the victims.

Children who are victims of crimes will benefit from dedicated services, age-appropriate protection, psychological support, and the possibility for interviews to be recorded on video.

Victims participating in criminal proceedings who cannot afford a lawyer will have access to legal assistance.

The directive will be published in the Official Journal in July 2026, will enter into force 20 days after publication, and member states will have 24 months for transposition.

The 116 006 line will become the common European number for supporting victims of crimes. Through this service, victims will be able to receive information about their rights, emotional support, and guidance to available services, while existing national numbers will be able to continue to operate in parallel.

The directive also introduces rules for easier reporting of crimes. Member states will need to provide accessible and user-friendly digital tools when online reporting is in the victim's interest, and victims will be able to submit evidence in electronic format.

Children who are victims of crimes will have access to dedicated and age-appropriate services. The measures include child-friendly protection, psychological support, and the possibility of video recording interviews to reduce the risk of minors being repeatedly exposed to traumatic procedures.

Victims participating in criminal proceedings who cannot afford a lawyer will have access to legal assistance. The aim of the measure is for them to be able to exercise their rights in proceedings and to be able to seek compensation.

The directive also strengthens compensation mechanisms. Victims who have been awarded compensation in criminal proceedings should benefit from stronger measures to receive the amounts owed by the perpetrator, and in cases of intentional violent crimes, member states may, under certain conditions, advance payment if the compensation is not paid within a reasonable time.

The new rules provide additional guarantees for protecting the contact details of victims. The Council indicates that this protection aims to encourage victims to report crimes and seek justice without fear that their personal data will be unnecessarily exposed.

According to the European Commission, between 70 and 75 million people in the European Union are victims of crimes each year. In France, the 116 006 line receives over 72,000 calls annually, and currently, only 14 countries have introduced this number to support victims.

The new directive will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union in July 2026 and will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member states will then have 24 months to transpose the rules into national legislation.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/news-articles/consiliul-uniunii-europene-aproba-legea-care-intareste-drepturile-victimelor-infractiunilor