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Environment

Invasive alien species

Preventing and minimising the effects on invasive alien species on Europe’s biodiversity.

Overview

Invasive alien species (IAS) are animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment where they are not normally found, with serious negative consequences for their new environment. They are a major threat to native plants and animals in Europe and are one of the five major causes of biodiversity loss. They can also cause significant adverse impacts on the economy (their economic impact in the EU was estimated at around EUR 12 billion per year) as well as human health, such as severe allergies and burns.

Objectives

The EU aims to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts posed by these species on native biodiversity and ecosystem services. Rules also aim to limit social and economic damage.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 contains the commitment to manage established invasive alien species and decrease the number of Red List species they threaten by 50% by 2030.

In the EU

114 invasive alien species are strictly regulated
65 animal species of Union concern
49 plant species of Union concern

Law

The Invasive Alien Species Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1143/2014) includes a set of measures to be taken across the EU in relation to invasive alien species. The core of the Regulation is the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern (Union List). The species included on this list are subject to restrictions and measures set out in the Regulation. These include restrictions on keeping, importing, selling, breeding, growing and releasing into the environment.

Member States are required to:-

  • Take action on pathways of unintentional introduction (i.e. prevention)
  • Take measures for the early detection and rapid eradication of these species
  • Manage species that are already widely spread in their territory

Secondary law

Union list

The fourth update of the Union list entered into force on 7 August 2025. A consolidated version of the Union list is available here.

This brochure includes a short description of 88 invasive alien species of Union concern (up to the third update of the Union list in 2022), offering brief, non-technical and informal summaries of their origin, their present distribution in the EU, how they threaten our native biodiversity, and how the applicable restrictions and obligations will help mitigate their negative impacts

Process for adding species to the Union list

Both the European Commission and the Member States can propose additional species for inclusion on the Union list, according to Article 4(4) of the Regulation, including a risk assessment. All risk assessments are available here.

An overview of risk assessments under preparation is available here. A horizon scanning was commissioned in support of the selection process. It cannot be regarded as the list that the Commission will be proposing, nor as representing the opinion of the Commission.

Proposed risk assessments are first reviewed by the Scientific Forum. It provides an opinion on whether the risk assessments are robust and fit for purpose, according to an agreed procedure. While the Scientific Forum reviews these risk assessments, stakeholders are invited to submit additional evidence that could improve the risk assessments. The risk assessments currently under review by the Scientific Forum are available here.

Proposals for which the underpinning risk assessments receive a positive opinion from the Scientific Forum are forwarded to the IAS Committee. It examines the compliance of the proposed species with the criteria for listing (cf. Art 4(3) and 4(6) of the IAS Regulation). The approved risk assessments ready for the opinion of the IAS Committee are available here.

The Commission makes the draft proposal for an update of the Union list available for public feedback. Having considered this feedback, the Commission submits the final proposal for an update of the Union list to the IAS Committee. Any update of the Union list is subject to the positive opinion of the IAS Committee.

Previous versions of the Union list
Art. 4.2 review of the Union list

Main documents produced for the first comprehensive review of the Union list according to Article 4.2 of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014

Implementation

In 2021, the Commission published the first report on the application of the Invasive Alien Species Regulation. The report finds that the Regulation is delivering on its objectives - prevention and management measures, information sharing and awareness of the problem have improved. Yet implementation is a challenge in several respects. Find out more in the press release.

The Commission is assisted by a number of bodies in implementing the IAS Regulation.

  • The Committee on IAS assists in the preparation of implementing acts foreseen by the IAS Regulation, mainly the adoption and updates of the list of invasive alien species of Union concern. It consists of representatives from all Member States.
  • The Invasive Alien Species Expert Group (IASEG) supports the implementation of the IAS Regulation beyond the Commission’s implementation powers. It consists of representatives from all Member States. More information on its activities can be found here.
  • The Scientific Forum on IAS provides advice on scientific questions related to the implementation of the IAS Regulation. It consists of representatives of the scientific community appointed by the Member States. More information on its activities can be found here.
  • The Working Group on IAS assists the Commission and facilitates coordination. It consists of interested stakeholders and Member State representatives. More information on its activities can be found here.

Support to implementation

Several information documents have been developed to support EU countries to implement the Regulation. These do not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission.

Prevention

Early detection and rapid eradication

Management

Tools

IAS notification system

For EU countries to inform the Commission about new observations of IAS of Union concern and measures taken.

Invasive Alien Species Europe App

For Europeans to help monitor invasive alien species in their region and become ‘citizen scientists’. Download the app here: Apple iTunes Store Google Play Store

Related links

Community page on the EU Science Hub, LIFE Programme

Related topics: Nature and biodiversity

Related strategies: EU biodiversity strategy to 2030

Related Commission priorities: European Green Deal

Contact

For questions about EU action on invasive alien species, please contact ENV-IASatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENV-IAS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).

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