Criminal Law · European Union
A European Arrest Warrant Is Serious — Get a Lawyer Who Handles It
A European Arrest Warrant lets one EU country ask another to arrest and surrender you, and the process is designed to move quickly. We match you, free of charge, with a criminal lawyer who handles European Arrest Warrant cases every day, so you know the grounds, the deadlines and your defences.
- Lawyers experienced in surrender hearings
- Grounds to challenge the warrant
- No fee to get matched
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Who this is for
For anyone arrested or sought under a European Arrest Warrant
The European Arrest Warrant is a fast-track surrender mechanism between EU member states. It lets a judicial authority in one member state ask another to arrest a person and hand them over for prosecution or to serve a custodial sentence, replacing the older extradition procedures that once applied between EU countries. Because it is designed for speed, it is treated differently from ordinary extradition: the grounds on which surrender can be refused are limited, the deadlines are strict, and the person concerned may not even know a warrant exists until they are stopped at a border or arrested at home. The consequences are immediate — you can be held in custody and transferred to another country in weeks. A lawyer who works with these warrants can explain what it alleges, whether it is valid, and whether any of the limited grounds for refusal apply.
Why a warrant is so disorienting
The European Arrest Warrant is built for speed,
not for the person being surrendered
You may learn of the warrant only when you are stopped or arrested, and the clock starts running immediately.
You may not know it exists
A warrant can be issued in one country without your knowledge and executed in another, so your first warning is often an arrest at a border, at an airport or at home — with no time to prepare.
The grounds to refuse are limited
Unlike traditional extradition, the European Arrest Warrant removes or restricts many defences, so the few available grounds — identity, double jeopardy, human rights — must be identified and argued precisely.
Decisions happen in weeks
The procedure has strict time limits, and a court can order surrender quickly. Acting before the first hearing is often the difference between being able to raise a defence and losing the chance.
What you get
A lawyer who knows the limited grounds and the strict deadlines
We match you with criminal lawyers who regularly appear in European Arrest Warrant hearings.
Warrant review
Your lawyer examines the warrant, checks that the person sought is correctly identified and that the alleged offence qualifies, and flags any defect that could affect its validity.
Grounds to challenge
Where the limited refusal grounds apply — proportionality, double jeopardy, fair trial or prison conditions — your lawyer builds and presents the argument at the right stage.
Representation at hearings
You are represented at the initial hearing and at the surrender decision, with your position put clearly and your rights to an interpreter and legal advice respected.
Consent guidance
Your lawyer explains what consenting to surrender would mean in practice, so any decision you make is informed and not taken under pressure or misunderstanding.
Coverage
European Arrest Warrant lawyers across the EU
The European Arrest Warrant operates between EU member states, and the right lawyer is one who knows the procedure in the country where you are arrested. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
European Arrest Warrant — common questions
What is a European Arrest Warrant?
It is a judicial decision issued by one EU member state asking another to arrest and surrender a person for prosecution or to serve a custodial sentence. It replaced traditional extradition between EU countries with a faster, more standardised procedure with strict time limits.
What should I do if I am arrested under one?
Ask to speak to a lawyer immediately and do not make statements before you have legal advice. The procedure moves quickly, so contacting a specialist in the country where you are held is the single most important first step.
On what grounds can surrender be refused?
The grounds are limited by design. They can include incorrect identity, double jeopardy, time bars, or, in some cases, serious concerns about fundamental rights such as prison conditions or a fair trial. Whether any apply depends on the facts of your case.
How long does the process take?
The European Arrest Warrant procedure is intended to be quick, with decisions often reached within weeks. The exact timing varies by country and the complexity of the case, but the deadlines are strict, so early legal advice is essential.
Do I have the right to a lawyer and an interpreter?
Yes. If you are arrested under a European Arrest Warrant you have the right to legal advice and, where needed, an interpreter, in the country where you are held. A lawyer will make sure these rights are respected throughout.
What happens if I consent to surrender?
Consenting can speed the process considerably, but it usually means giving up the chance to challenge the warrant. You should only consent after a lawyer has explained what it means for you, because it is a decision that is hard to reverse.
Free case review
Get a lawyer before the first hearing
Tell us where you are and what has happened, and we’ll connect you with a criminal lawyer who handles European Arrest Warrant cases — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.