Latest data from the European Statistical Office, 'Eurostat', shows that the number of returns of irregular migrants from European Union countries to third countries increased by 13% in the fourth quarter of 2025, despite a decrease in the number of removal orders issued. According to the data, EU countries issued 117,545 removal orders to non-EU nationals during the same period, while 33,860 actual returns to third countries were carried out. Year-on-year, the number of people ordered to leave the EU decreased by 6.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, while the number of actual returns increased by 13%. Compared to the third quarter of 2025, the number of removal orders fell by 4.4%, and the number of returns decreased slightly by 0.9%. Among member states, France recorded the highest number of removal orders at 34,040, followed by Spain at 12,380 and Germany at 10,720. In terms of actual returns, Germany topped the list with 7,690 cases, followed by France with 3,800, and then Sweden with 2,870. These figures reflect the ongoing tightening of migration policies in the European Union, with a growing focus on implementing deportation decisions rather than just issuing them.
