EU migrant repatriations on the rise, but which countries are carrying out the most explusions?
EU Expulsions and Repatriations Rise: Which Nations Are Leading the Effort?
EU migrant repatriations on the rise – The European Union is demonstrating a commitment to its border control initiatives, as evidenced by the latest Eurostat findings. Migrant inflows have declined significantly compared to previous years, while repatriation measures have gained momentum. This trend, which reflects a sustained shift rather than a temporary fluctuation, underscores the bloc’s focus on reinforcing its external borders. Since 2022, the influx of new migrants has consistently fallen, dropping from 5.4 million to 4.5 million in 2024—a 24% reduction. In 2025, the number of asylum seekers granted protection status also reached its lowest level since 2019, at 361,000. These figures suggest a broader effort to manage migration more effectively, even as the EU continues to grapple with the complexities of border security.
Repatriation Orders and Actual Returns
While fewer people are entering the EU, the number of individuals being expelled or sent back has increased. Repatriation directives hit nearly 500,000 in 2025, the highest figure since 2019. However, only a fraction of these orders result in actual returns. Last year’s expulsions, totaling 155,000, marked the largest number since 2020, highlighting a growing emphasis on swift removals. This surge in expulsions is part of a coordinated strategy to reduce the number of migrants remaining in the EU, though challenges persist in executing these measures efficiently.
The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, emphasized that the bloc is nearing the culmination of its most comprehensive reform of the asylum and migration system. “We are on the final stretch of the largest reform of the European asylum and migration system to date,” he stated during a recent interview with Europe in Motion. The new system, he explained, aims to modernize border management, introducing the Entry/Exit system—a tool designed to track movements across the EU’s external borders. “With it, we strengthen the protection of our external borders, putting in place the most modern border management system in the world,” Brunner added, underscoring the EU’s ambition to create a unified framework for handling migration.
“With it, we strengthen the protection of our external borders, putting in place the most modern border management system in the world – the Entry/Exit system,” he said.
Brunner also highlighted the EU’s enhanced collaboration with third countries to address migration challenges. “We are strengthening cooperation with non-EU nations to manage migration and deter illegal crossings and smuggling activities,” he noted. However, he acknowledged that substantial work remains to be done, as the system’s full impact will depend on its implementation across all member states.
Country-Specific Breakdowns
When analyzing the data by country, Turkey’s migrants accounted for the highest number of repatriations in 2025, with over 13,000 individuals being returned. This was followed by Georgians, Syrians, and Albanians, each contributing more than 8,000 repatriations. Germany, however, led in expulsions, with nearly 30,000 people removed from the EU, surpassing France and Sweden. France, in contrast, issued repatriation orders at a much higher rate than Germany, with 138,000 directives compared to Germany’s 55,000 in 2025. This discrepancy suggests that while France has prioritized issuing repatriation orders, the actual return rate for those ordered has been lower, with the majority remaining in the country.
Spain and the Netherlands also played significant roles in repatriation efforts, with 54,000 and 32,000 orders respectively. Yet, the gap between the number of repatriation directives issued and the actual people returned remains notable. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including administrative delays, the inability to confirm a migrant’s origin, and the suspension of returns for minors or those with health concerns. Additionally, the process is complicated by the high number of individuals denied entry at the border, with 133,000 migrants being turned away in 2025—more than in both 2024 and 2023.
Poland reported the highest number of border rejections, with nearly 30,000 migrants turned back, a figure slightly higher than France’s 12,000. The reasons for these rejections are varied. According to Eurostat, 30% of rejected individuals failed to provide a valid reason for their stay, while 17% had already spent three months in the EU within a six-month period. A further 15% were denied entry due to visa issues, and 13% were flagged for irregular presence, such as being linked to alerts about their activities in the country. These statistics illustrate the EU’s growing use of strict entry criteria to curb unauthorized arrivals.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum: Progress and Challenges
Two weeks ago, the European Commission released a report assessing the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The findings indicate that EU member states have made considerable strides in adopting the pact’s provisions. The new legislation, enacted in 2024, aims to establish a common framework with stronger border protections while maintaining fair asylum rules and a balance between solidarity and responsibility. This dual focus on deterrence and humanitarian principles has been a central theme of the reform, which seeks to harmonize migration policies across the bloc.
Despite these advances, challenges persist in fully realizing the pact’s objectives. The disparity between repatriation orders and actual returns, particularly in countries like France, reveals gaps in enforcement. While France issued the most directives, only a fraction of its 138,000 orders were executed, raising questions about the effectiveness of the system. Similarly, the increase in expulsions, though notable, has not translated into a proportional reduction in the migrant population within the EU. This suggests that while the reforms are making progress, they require further refinement to address the nuances of migration management.
Brunner’s remarks emphasize the EU’s determination to tighten controls, but the data also highlights the need for more localized strategies. For example, while Germany’s expulsions reflect a robust approach to deportation, France’s focus on issuing orders may indicate a preference for legal processes over immediate removals. This variation across member states underscores the complexity of implementing a unified system. Moreover, the rising number of border rejections points to a growing emphasis on pre-entry screening, with authorities increasingly scrutinizing the validity of migrants’ applications.
The trend of expulsions and repatriations is not isolated to a single country or region. It is part of a broader pattern of stricter border management, driven by both policy changes and external pressures. The success of these measures will depend on the EU’s ability to coordinate efforts, streamline procedures, and address the logistical challenges of enforcing repatriation orders. As the bloc continues to refine its approach, the data will serve as a critical indicator of its effectiveness in balancing security, efficiency, and humanitarian considerations.
Looking ahead, the EU’s focus on repatriations and expulsions will likely shape its migration policies for the foreseeable future. With the Entry/Exit system now in
