Today, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is launching the recruitment campaign for Europe’s first uniformed service – the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps.

The corps is a unique service that will carry out border control and migration management tasks to assist EU member states. These will include identity and document checks, border surveillance and return of people who are illegally staying in the European Union.

“Today is a special day for Frontex, one that will lead to a true transformation of our agency. For the first time Frontex will have its owned uniformed service, working under the banner of the European Union,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.

“We will be able to assist EU member states with challenges at their borders in a variety of ways with our own officers and equipment,” he added.

The European Border and Coast Guard standing corps will consist of Frontex border guards and national officers from EU member states and Schengen-associated countries.

Today Frontex is starting the first recruitment campaign for more than 700 Frontex border guards. Candidates will have until 16 December to apply.