The Convention was adopted so as to enable the signatories to exchange data regarding DNA, fingerprints and vehicle registration of concerned persons and to cooperate against terrorism.

It provides for Law Enforcement Cooperation in criminal matters primarily related to exchange of fingerprint, DNA (both on a hit no-hit basis) and Vehicle owner registration (direct access via the EUCARIS system) data.

While the Decisions were originally applicable to all EU member states, the United Kingdom subsequently exercised their right to opt out from them effective 1 December 2014.

[10][11] Prüm II was eventually signed by both the European Parliament and the Council on 14 March 2024 and was subsequently published in the EU Journal on 5 April 2024.

[16] In June 2007, Greece, Italy,[17] Portugal and Sweden, notified the Council of the European Union of their desire to accede to the Prüm Convention.