BBMRI-ERIC1 is a pan-European research infrastructure which facilitates access to human biological samples (e.g., tissue, blood, DNA) and associated clinical and research data from individual biobanks. BBMRI-ERIC is a European infrastructure with the aim to encourage and expedite effective and ethical access to samples and data from biobanks, preferably in the context of high-level research collaboration between providers (e.g., biobanks, including scientists and physicians who contributed to the biobanks) and requesters. As of early 2017, BBMRI-ERIC consists of 19 Member States and one international organisation (IARC). BBMRI-ERIC operates on a non-profit basis. This access policy presents three areas of guidance: i) ethical principles; ii) governance procedures; and iii) practical procedures for access. Together with existing legal frameworks, these three areas provide the ethical and legal framework and practical procedures to guide access to and use of biological samples and associated data, as well as to tools and resources developed by BBMRI-ERIC. This policy is a binding document for BBMRI-ERIC itself, for BBMRI-ERIC Partner Biobanks, and for any requesters, who are seeking access to samples/data from BBMRI-ERIC Partner Biobanks via BBMRI-ERIC. It will not supersede access policies and procedures of individual biobanks but will provide a framework that BBMRI-ERIC Partner Biobanks must adhere to. This policy will be amended/changed in accordance with changes in the regulatory framework.