WARSAW, POLAND / RankWire.AI / – Frontex facilitated more than 33,000 returns from EU member nations to non-EU destinations during the first half of 2026. This marks an increase from approximately 30,000 during the same period last year. Around 21,000 individuals returned voluntarily, compared to roughly 19,000 in 2025. According to agency data released on Sept. 7, the cumulative number of Frontex-supported returns since 2022 now reaches about 215,000 people.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency assists national authorities once a person receives a legally enforceable return order. Such a decision is issued after all legal options to stay in the EU are exhausted. Authorities determine whether a return is voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary returns involve compliance, while forced returns occur when individuals do not fulfill their obligation to depart. The agency provides support for both types of return.
Germany, France, Cyprus, Belgium, and Sweden reported the highest numbers of agency-supported returns from January to June. The primary nationalities among returnees were from Türkiye, Syria, Georgia, Colombia, India, Brazil, Albania, Morocco, Nigeria, and Iraq. During this period, Frontex deployed 109 Return Specialists across 15 member states, while 118 Return Escort and Support Officers operated in 11 countries to facilitate travel, airport procedures, and flight logistics.
Most returns are voluntary
In the first half of 2026, nearly 14,000 individuals registered for EU reintegration aid, up from about 8,000 during the same period in 2025. Over 80% of these cases involved voluntary return. Reintegration support includes vocational training, counseling, and grants for small businesses upon return to home countries. Member states may also include other eligible returnees in this program.
Return specialists assist national authorities in managing cases, explaining available support, and obtaining identity documents from countries of origin. Support officers escort some returnees and handle administrative aspects of departures. Hans Leijtens, Frontex’s Executive Director, emphasized that operations must adhere to legal standards and prioritize safety and dignity. He also underscored the importance of voluntary returns and reintegration support, noting that such approaches can lessen staffing and logistical burdens associated with forced removals.
Legislative progress on EU return policies continues
The latest statistics follow European Union negotiators reaching a provisional agreement on common return regulations on June 1. The European Parliament approved its first-reading position on June 17 with 418 votes in favor, 218 against, and 30 abstentions. The framework targets third-country nationals without a legal right to remain within member states, establishing cooperation duties and creating a European Return Order to facilitate recognition of return decisions throughout the bloc.
The finalized text authorizes return hubs in non-EU countries under arrangements aligned with international law and human rights standards. It explicitly excludes unaccompanied minors from such arrangements. The legislation also proposes specific measures for individuals considered security threats and maintains that mutual recognition of return decisions remains voluntary for now. The 2026 data show a rise in EU return operations compared to the previous year, with voluntary returns continuing to constitute the majority of Frontex-supported cases.