On 13 June 2024, the European Union (EU) adopted the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings (THB) and protecting its victims. Member States have until 15 July 2026 to transpose the amendments of the Directive.
The amended Directive, in force as of 14 July 2024, introduces three additional forms of exploitation into the definition under Article 2: the exploitation of surrogacy, of forced marriage, or of illegal adoption. By adding this to the definition, it is likely that there will be more attention to (and more insight into) these forms of exploitation. However, there has been little debate prior to the revision about these forms and concerns have been raised regarding legal definitions and application in practice, especially when exploitative practices amount to human trafficking.
EU Member States have started the process of transposing the amended Directive into national laws or policies where applicable, which should be completed by 15 July 2026.
The exploitation of surrogacy, forced marriage, or illegal adoption is only considered human trafficking if the conduct fulfils all the elements of the definition of trafficking in human beings (act, means, and purpose). As such, the revision of the Directive does not imply that all illegal adoption, surrogacy, or forced marriage practices should be automatically considered human trafficking. Importantly, Member States should ensure that measures to prevent human trafficking will not restrict or infringe on existing rights for persons to marry, adopt a child or form a family.
To address these issues, La Strada International, launches a webinar series composed of three dedicated sessions:
- Exploitation of Surrogacy
- Exploitation of Forced marriage
- Exploitation of Illegal Adoption
The first two webinar will be organised in October and mark the official launch of research publications by La Strada International, including:
- A comparative analysis on the legal and policy landscape of trafficking for (the exploitation of) forced marriage across Europe
- A comparative analysis on the legal and policy landscape of trafficking for the exploitation of surrogacy across Europe
- A paper investigating the inclusion of the exploitation of surrogacy into the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive
Further research on the trafficking for the exploitation of illegal adoption is ongoing and will be published at a later stage.
Key Discussion Points:
- The current legal and policy landscape across Europe related to these forms of exploitation;
- The indications of exploitation;
- The legal and practical challenges related to criminalising these forms of exploitation as human trafficking and application in practice;
- The impact of criminalisation and pros and cons of seperate criminal offences, next to the human trafficking;
- Collecting evidence & proving the offences;
- Case law examples;
- Recommendations.
All webinars are open to the public and will feature presentations, expert panel discussions, and a Q&A with participants.
Webinar on Human Trafficking for the Exploitation of Surrogacy: 16 October 2025, 12:00–13:30 (GMT+2) → Register here
Webinar on Human Trafficking for the Exploitation of Forced Marriage: 17 October 2025, 12:00–13:30 (GMT+2) → Register here
New Publications
New Research Publications
As part of our Human Trafficking Awareness Week 2025, La Strada International has released new research exploring the recently introduced forms of exploitation under the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive.
- Exploring the Introduction of Exploitation of Surrogacy in the Amended EU Anti-Trafficking Directive – a La Strada International study authored by Bruna Alexandre Franco and Suzanne Hoff, now available for consultation: Read the publication here
- Analysis on Forced Marriages 2025 – a publication by Open Gate / La Strada North Macedonia, providing in-depth insights into forced marriage practices and policy challenges across Europe: Read the publication here
Further research papers — including comparative analyses on the policy and legal frameworks of forced marriage and surrogacy across Europe — will be published in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates.