What is UAP?
UAP – Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena – has largely replaced the term UFO. It describes observations in the air, at sea or in space that cannot be immediately identified. It does not mean extraterrestrial, only unexplained based on available data.
Disclosure · Europe
UFO & UAP disclosure in Europe →
What does UFO/UAP disclosure mean for Europe? Declassified UFO files in France, the UK and Spain, the US PURSUE file releases, the European Parliament UAP session, and why the EU has no common UAP policy.
Famous UFO cases in Europe
1946 · Sweden
The ghost rockets →
Thousands of reports of rocket-like objects over Scandinavia led to a military investigation in Sweden.
1980 · United Kingdom
Rendlesham Forest →
US military personnel at the air bases in Suffolk reported lights in the forest – Britain's best-known case.
1989–90 · Belgium
The Belgian UFO wave →
Hundreds of witnesses described triangular objects with lights, and the Belgian Air Force scrambled fighter jets.
1981 · France
Trans-en-Provence →
One of few cases where GEIPAN's predecessor analysed physical ground traces at the site.
1981– · Norway
The Hessdalen lights →
Unexplained lights over a Norwegian valley, studied for decades with radar, cameras and spectrometers by Project Hessdalen.
How EU countries investigate UFOs/UAP
There is no common EU agency for UAP – the issue is handled country by country.
UFO sightings in the UK →- France
- GEIPAN (CNES) has received and classified reports since 1977 and publishes its archive openly.
- United Kingdom
- The Ministry of Defence UFO files have been released to the National Archives. Report handling ended in 2009.
- Sweden
- The Armed Forces investigated the ghost rockets in 1946. Today collection is mainly run by volunteer associations.
- Spain & Portugal
- Spain's air force has declassified UFO documents, and in Portugal pilots have reported several notable cases.
How to report a sighting
- Write down date, time and exact location immediately.
- Note direction, altitude, movement, colour and duration.
- Film or photograph – ideally with something in the foreground as reference.
- Check satellite and air traffic (e.g. Starlink, flight radar).
- Send the report to a national organisation, in France GEIPAN.
Frequently asked questions about UFOs in Europe
What is the difference between UFO and UAP?
UFO means unidentified flying object. UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) is the newer, broader term that also covers phenomena at sea and in space and is used by authorities and researchers.
Does the EU have a common UAP agency?
No. Investigations are national. France's GEIPAN, part of the space agency CNES, is the best-known public body in Europe that systematically reviews reports.
Where in Europe are most UFO sightings reported?
France and the UK have the largest public archives, mainly because they have collected and published reports for decades – not necessarily because more phenomena occur there.
Are most sightings explained?
Yes. The vast majority turn out to be satellites, aircraft, balloons, drones, planets or atmospheric phenomena. A small share remains unexplained, often due to insufficient data.