The number of migrant returns from European Union member states is on the rise, according to newly released Eurostat data. In the third quarter of 2025, nearly 42,000 non-EU citizens were expelled or returned, marking a significant increase in enforcement of immigration policies across the bloc. This trend reflects growing pressure on EU nations to manage migration flows and address concerns about irregular immigration.
The latest figures show a 19% jump in repatriations compared to the 35,000 recorded during the same period in 2024. Approximately 82% of those returned were sent back to their country of origin, while the remaining 18% were transferred to other EU countries. This data highlights a coordinated, though uneven, effort to manage the movement of people within and beyond the EU’s borders.
Increase in Migrant Returns: A Closer Look
Germany is leading the increase in deportations, having tripled its numbers to almost 12,000 in Q3 2025. This places Germany well ahead of France, which carried out nearly 5,000 returns, and the rest of the EU member states. Neighboring Belgium is also showing a marked increase, with returns nearly doubling from 730 in Q3 2024 to 1,210 in Q3 2025.
Among the nationalities most frequently returned, Algerians accounted for 12,325 individuals, followed by Moroccans at 6,670. The data also reveals increases in returns for citizens of Turkey (+15%), Syria (+9%), Russia (+7%), Georgia (+5%), and Albania (+2%) compared to the previous quarter. These shifts may be linked to changing geopolitical situations and bilateral agreements between EU nations and these countries.
A substantial 40% of all returns were classified as “forced,” indicating that individuals did not leave voluntarily but were subject to an order to do so. However, the proportion of forced returns varies considerably across the EU. Denmark reported the highest rate at 91%, followed by Romania (82%) and Bulgaria (80%). Italy reported a 100% rate, though Eurostat notes this may be due to differing reporting methodologies.
Financial Assistance and Repatriation Costs
According to Eurostat, around 77% of all returns involve some form of financial assistance, such as help with travel tickets or cash allowances to aid reintegration upon departure or arrival. This assistance is intended to facilitate a more orderly and humane return process, and potentially encourage voluntary departures. The cost of these assisted returns is a significant factor in national immigration budgets.
Despite increased efforts, a considerable gap remains between the number of repatriation orders issued and those actually executed. Approximately 41,890 orders, or around 36% of the total, were not carried out. France issued the most orders – nearly 34,000 – but only managed to enforce 14% of them, a rate similar to Greece and Spain.
Several factors contribute to this enforcement gap. Authorities sometimes struggle to determine a migrant’s country of origin, leading to legal challenges and delays. Additionally, returns can be postponed or halted due to health concerns or if the individual is an unaccompanied minor. These complexities highlight the challenges of implementing effective return policies.
In December, EU countries approved draft legislation aimed at streamlining the return process. The new framework allows member states to establish bilateral agreements with third countries to create migrant hubs for processing applications and verifying statuses. However, human rights organizations have expressed concerns that these external hubs could facilitate illegal returns and arbitrary detention, raising questions about due process and international law.
The increasing number of migrant returns and the ongoing debate surrounding the new EU legislation signal a continued focus on border control and immigration enforcement. Monitoring the implementation of these new rules, and the impact on both migrants and EU member states, will be crucial in the coming months. Further data releases from Eurostat will provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of migration and repatriation within the European Union.
