WARSAW, POLAND / RankWire.AI / – Frontex facilitated over 33,000 repatriations from EU member states to non-EU countries during the first half of 2026. This number increased from approximately 30,000 in the same period last year. Around 21,000 individuals returned voluntarily, compared to roughly 19,000 in the previous year. The latest data brings Frontex-supported returns since 2022 to roughly 215,000 people, according to agency figures published on Sept. 7.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency assists national authorities once a person receives a legally enforceable return order. This order is issued after all legal options to stay in the EU have been exhausted. It is up to the national authorities to determine whether a return will be voluntary or enforced. Voluntary returns involve compliance with the order, while forced returns occur when an individual fails to leave as required. The agency provides support for both categories of return.
Germany, France, Cyprus, Belgium, and Sweden recorded the highest numbers of agency-supported returns from January to June. The predominant nationalities among returnees included Türkiye, Syria, Georgia, Colombia, India, Brazil, Albania, Morocco, Nigeria, and Iraq. During this period, Frontex deployed 109 Return Specialists across 15 member states. An additional 118 Return Escort and Support Officers operated in 11 member states, assisting with travel arrangements, airport procedures, and flight logistics.
Most cases involve voluntary returns
Nearly 14,000 individuals registered for EU reintegration assistance during the first half of 2026, up from about 8,000 in the same timeframe of 2025. Over 80% of these participants returned voluntarily. Reintegration programs may include vocational training, counseling, and grants to support small businesses upon individuals’ return to their home countries. Member states can also enroll other eligible returnees in these programs.
Return specialists assist national authorities in managing cases, explaining available support options, and obtaining identity documents from countries of origin. Escort and support officers accompany some returnees and coordinate administrative tasks related to departures. Hans Leijtens, Frontex’s Executive Director, emphasized that operations must adhere to legal standards and prioritize safety and dignity. He also highlighted the agency’s focus on voluntary return and reintegration assistance, noting that such approaches can lessen staffing and logistical burdens associated with forced removals.
Legislative processes shape EU return policies
European Union negotiators reached a provisional agreement on shared return rules on June 1. The European Parliament gave its first-reading approval on June 17 with a vote of 418 in favor, 218 against, and 30 abstentions. The proposed framework addresses third-country nationals lacking legal residence rights in member states, establishes cooperation obligations, and introduces a European Return Order to facilitate recognition of return decisions across the EU.
The agreed-upon text authorizes the creation of return hubs in non-EU countries, provided these arrangements comply with international law and human rights standards. Unaccompanied minors are excluded from such setups. It also includes specific provisions for individuals deemed security threats and maintains mutual recognition of return decisions as voluntary for the time being. The 2026 data indicates an increase in overall EU return operations compared to the previous year, with voluntary returns still constituting the majority of cases supported by Frontex.