Returns of migrants without residence rights have increased in the European Union, although departure orders have decreased.

Eurostat shows that, in the first quarter of 2026, 108,475 citizens from outside the European Union were ordered to leave a member state, while 34,550 were returned to third countries following such an order. Compared to the same period in 2025, the number of departure orders decreased by 12.8%, while the number of returns increased by 8.1%.

Returns of citizens from outside the European Union without residence rights increased in the first quarter of 2026, although the number of people who were asked to leave a member state decreased. According to Eurostat, 108,475 people received departure orders, and 34,550 were returned to third countries following such an order.

In summary

1. 108,475 citizens from outside the EU received orders to leave a member state in the first quarter of 2026.

2. 34,550 people were returned to third countries following a departure order.

3. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, departure orders decreased by 12.8%.

4. In the same annual comparison, returns to third countries increased by 8.1%.

5. The majority of returns concerned citizens from Türkiye, Georgia, and Albania.

Eurostat data measures two different stages of the application of migration legislation. The first is the order to leave the territory, meaning the decision by which a person from outside the EU is obliged to leave a member state. The second is the actual return to a third country, which can occur following such an order.

The difference between the two figures is significant. In the first quarter of 2026, the number of departure orders was more than three times greater than the number of actual returns. This discrepancy frequently appears in migration statistics, as an administrative decision does not automatically lead to immediate departure.

Compared to the previous quarter, the number of citizens from outside the EU who received departure orders decreased by 7.9%, while the number of those returned to third countries increased by 2.0%. The data thus shows the same direction as in the annual comparison: fewer new departure orders, but more returns executed.

By citizenship, the most departure orders in the first quarter of 2026 targeted citizens of Algeria, with 11,105 cases, Morocco, with 6,435, and Syria, with 5,355. In the case of actual returns to third countries, the majority of people were citizens of Türkiye, with 3,555, Georgia, with 2,060, and Albania, with 2,050.

At the level of member states, France recorded the highest number of departure orders, 34,880. It was followed by Germany, with 10,360, and Spain, with 9,275. These figures show where the most administrative decisions to leave the territory were issued during the analyzed period.

In the case of actual returns, Germany had the highest number, 7,300. France reported 3,775 returns, and Poland 2,660. These data indicate differences between the states that issue the most departure orders and the states that report the most returns made.

The statistics come at a time when the European Union is intensely discussing the effectiveness of the return policy. The increase in the number of returns can be used by member states as an indicator of firmer enforcement of departure decisions, but the data also shows that most orders do not turn into returns in the same quarter.

The evolution in the first quarter of 2026 shows a significant change in the application of migration policy: administrative pressure through departure orders has decreased compared to last year, yet actual returns have increased. For European governments, the difference between the two figures remains one of the most sensitive issues of migration policy.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/returnarile-migrantilor-fara-drept-de-sedere-au-crescut-in-uniunea-europeana-desi-ordinele-de-plecare-au-scazut