WARSAW, POLAND / RankWire.AI / – Frontex facilitated more than 33,000 returns from EU countries to non-EU nations during the first half of 2026. This number represents an increase from approximately 30,000 in the same period last year. Of these, around 21,000 individuals returned voluntarily, compared to roughly 19,000 a year earlier. According to agency data released on Sept. 7, the total supported returns since 2022 now amount to roughly 215,000 people.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency assists national authorities once a person receives an enforceable return order. This decision is made after all legal options to remain in the EU have been exhausted. It is then up to national authorities to determine whether the return is voluntary or enforced. Voluntary returns involve compliance with the order, whereas forced returns occur when an individual does not fulfill the obligation to leave. Frontex provides support for both processes.
Germany, France, Cyprus, Belgium, and Sweden reported the highest numbers of agency-supported returns from January to June. The primary nationalities among those returning 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. An additional 118 Return Escort and Support Officers worked across 11 countries, assisting with travel arrangements, airport procedures, and flight logistics.
Most cases involve voluntary returns
In the first half of 2026, nearly 14,000 individuals registered for EU reintegration assistance, up from about 8,000 during the same period in 2025. More than 80% of those participants returned voluntarily. Reintegration support can include vocational training, counseling, and grants for small businesses once individuals go back to their home countries. Member states may also enroll other eligible returnees into the program.
Return specialists support national authorities by managing cases, explaining available assistance, and helping obtain identity documents from countries of origin. Escort and support officers accompany some returnees and handle administrative tasks related to departures. Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens emphasized that operations must adhere to legal standards while ensuring safety and dignity. He also pointed out the importance of voluntary returns and reintegration support, highlighting their role in reducing staffing and logistical burdens associated with forced removals.
EU return procedures advancing through legislative stages
The recent data follow European Union negotiators reaching a provisional agreement on shared return rules 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 applies to third-country nationals lacking a legal right to stay within member states. It also establishes cooperation obligations and introduces a European Return Order to facilitate recognition of return decisions across the bloc.
The approved text permits the operation of return hubs in non-EU countries, provided arrangements align with international law and human rights standards. Unaccompanied minors are excluded from these arrangements. The legislation also includes specific measures for individuals considered security threats, while maintaining voluntary recognition of return decisions for the time being. The 2026 figures indicate an increase in EU return activities compared to the previous year, with voluntary returns remaining the majority of cases supported by Frontex.