Spain EU-wide leader in terrorism arrests as Europol warns of rising Islamist threat

Spain recorded the highest number of arrests for Islamist terrorism offences in the European Union in 2025, according to new figures released by Europol, as the bloc reported an increase in terrorism-related arrests and warned of growing radicalisation linked to conflicts in the Middle East.

According to Europol’s EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report published in July 2026, Spanish authorities arrested 100 people on suspicion of Islamist terrorism offences, the highest figure among EU member states,

Across the bloc, authorities made 486 terrorism-related arrests, including 347 linked to Islamist extremism. Right-wing terrorism accounted for the second-largest category, with 43 arrests.

The number of Islamist terrorism arrests increased from 289 in 2024 and slightly exceeded the 334 recorded in 2023.

Europol recorded 45 terrorist attacks across the EU in 2025. Of those, 24 were attributed to Islamist extremists, 12 to left-wing and anarchist extremists, and five to right-wing terrorists. Twenty-two attacks were carried out, 20 were foiled by authorities, and three failed. The completed attacks resulted in six deaths.

Among those arrested in Spain were three Moroccan nationals detained by the Guardia Civil. Investigators allege the suspects formed a group "aligned with the tenets of the global jihadist movement."

According to police, the suspects searched online for propaganda produced by both Al Qaeda and ISIS, despite the two groups being rivals, as well as information on weapons, explosives and suicide attacks. Authorities said the group also carried out physical training and possessed a large machete.

Persistent terrorist presence across Europe

After Spain, France recorded the second-highest number of Islamist terrorism arrests with 64, followed by the Netherlands and Austria with 40 each, Belgium with 30, and Italy with 26.

Most arrests across the EU were linked to suspected terrorist propaganda (91), membership of terrorist organisations (73), preparation for terrorist attacks (53), and participation in the activities of terrorist organisations (40).

Among the deadliest attacks highlighted in Europol's report was a stabbing in the Austrian town of Villach, where a Syrian asylum seeker allegedly killed a 14-year-old boy and injured five others. Police said the suspect had pledged allegiance to ISIS before carrying out the attack.

Europol also warned that the conflict in the Middle East has intensified extremist narratives across Europe.

"The conflict has led to polarisation in the EU, with anti-Semitism being a unifying narrative among diverse terrorist and violent extremist actors," it noted.

The agency added that the trend had contributed to attacks targeting Jewish interests and the arrest of individuals in the EU who allegedly intended to join Iran-backed proxy groups.

"In 2025, this resulted in cases of radicalised individuals targeting Jewish interests, and the arrests of individuals based in the EU intending to join one of Iran’s proxy groups."

By Nazrin Sadigova