WARSAW, POLAND / RankWire.AI / – Frontex facilitated more than 33,000 returns from EU member states to non-EU nations during the first half of 2026, marking an increase from roughly 30,000 in the same period last year. Of these, approximately 21,000 individuals returned voluntarily, compared to about 19,000 a year earlier. According to agency data released on Sept. 7, the cumulative number of Frontex-supported returns since 2022 has now reached about 215,000 people.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency assists national authorities once an enforceable return order is issued. This order is issued 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 decision, whereas forced returns occur when individuals do not fulfill the obligation to depart. Frontex provides support for both types of returns.
Germany, France, Cyprus, Belgium, and Sweden reported the highest numbers of agency-assisted returns from January to June. The main nationalities among those returned included 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 operated in 11 member states to assist with travel arrangements, airport procedures, and flight logistics.
Voluntary returns constitute the majority of cases
In the first six months of 2026, nearly 14,000 individuals registered for EU reintegration support, an increase from approximately 8,000 registrations during the same timeframe in 2025. More than 80% of these participants returned voluntarily. Reintegration assistance can encompass vocational training, counseling, and grants for small businesses once individuals go back to their countries of origin. Member states are also able to include other eligible returnees in the program.
Return specialists support national authorities by managing cases, clarifying available support options, and securing identification documents from countries of origin. Escort and support officers accompany some returnees and handle administrative tasks related to departures. Hans Leijtens, Frontex’s Executive Director, emphasized that operations must adhere to legal standards while ensuring safety and dignity. He also stressed the importance of voluntary return and reintegration aid in the agency’s current efforts. The agency notes that voluntary returns can lessen staffing and logistical burdens associated with forced removals.
The legislative process for EU return regulations advances
These recent figures follow European Union negotiators reaching a provisional agreement on common return rules on June 1. The European Parliament approved its first reading on June 17 with 418 votes in favor, 218 against, and 30 abstentions. The proposed framework pertains to third-country nationals lacking a legal right to stay in EU member states. It also establishes cooperation obligations and creates a European Return Order to facilitate recognition of return decisions throughout the bloc.
The agreed-upon text authorizes the establishment of return hubs in non-EU countries under arrangements that comply with international law and human rights standards. Unaccompanied minors are excluded from these arrangements. Furthermore, the document specifies measures for individuals deemed security threats and maintains mutual recognition of return decisions as voluntary for the time being. The 2026 data indicate that EU return operations have increased compared to the previous year, with voluntary returns still constituting the majority of Frontex-supported cases.