Frontex reports a 40% decrease in irregular crossings at the EU borders
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Frontex shows that, in the first four months of 2026, just over 28,500 irregular crossings of the external borders of the European Union were detected, 40% fewer than in the same period of 2025. The decrease is explained by cooperation with partner countries, preventive measures in key departure states, and difficult weather conditions at the beginning of the year, but the agency warns that over 1,200 people have already died in the Mediterranean and that trafficking networks continue to use unsafe vessels.
The number of detections of irregular crossings of the EU's external borders decreased by 40% in the first four months of 2026, to just over 28,500, according to preliminary Frontex data, but the agency warns that maritime routes remain deadly, with over 1,200 deaths in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.
In brief
1. Frontex detected just over 28,500 irregular crossings of the EU's external borders in the first four months of 2026, a decrease of 40% compared to the same period in 2025.
2. The Central Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean were the most active routes, each accounting for about one-third of irregular entries.
3. The West Africa route saw the largest decrease, of 78%, following preventive measures adopted by Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, in cooperation with Spain and the EU.
4. The Western Mediterranean was the only major route that increased, with 5,200 detections, 50% more than last year, amid departures from Algeria.
5. Frontex states that over 3,800 officers are present at the EU's external borders to support national authorities and maritime rescue operations.
The number of irregular crossings detected at the external borders of the European Union continued to decline in the first four months of 2026. According to preliminary data published by Frontex, just over 28,500 detections were recorded, 40% fewer than in the same period last year.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency attributes the decrease to a combination of factors, including sustained cooperation with partner countries, preventive measures adopted in key departure states, and difficult weather conditions at the beginning of the year.
The most active routes were the Central Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean, each accounting for about one-third of the total irregular entries into the EU. At the same time, developments vary significantly between routes, and the Western Mediterranean was the only major route that recorded an increase.
Frontex warns that, although the total number of irregular arrivals is decreasing, the human cost remains very high. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 1,200 people have died in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.
The agency states that migrant trafficking networks continue to send people on dangerous crossings, in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, regardless of conditions.
Frontex also warns that the volatile security situation in the Middle East may create risks for the migration landscape towards the EU. The conflict has displaced a large number of people in the region, and instability in Lebanon raises special concerns, including the risk of maritime departures to Cyprus and other Mediterranean destinations.
On the Central Mediterranean route, Frontex recorded approximately 8,500 arrivals in the first four months of the year, 46% fewer than in the same period of 2025. Libya remained the main departure point, accounting for the vast majority of crossings on this route.
The agency shows that the political dynamics in the countries of departure and origin, as well as the preventive measures of the Libyan authorities, continued to influence flows. The main nationalities detected on this route were citizens from Bangladesh, Somalia, and Sudan.
The Eastern Mediterranean route recorded approximately 8,400 crossings, a decrease of 32%. Frontex notes that some corridors had notable decreases, but the route from Libya to Crete remained active.
The Western Mediterranean was the only major route that increased, with approximately 5,200 detections, up 50% from the previous year. Algeria remained the main country of departure.
Frontex explains this increase by a shift in the routes used by trafficking networks. Stricter controls in Morocco and on neighboring routes of West Africa and the Central Mediterranean have pushed more departures towards the shores of Algeria.
The Western Balkans route recorded approximately 2,800 detections, a decrease of 19%. The Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina border remained the main exit point from the region.
The agency estimates that, as the weather improves and migrant mobility increases, the Western Balkans route may come under greater pressure due to secondary movements related to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The West Africa route recorded approximately 2,300 detections and the most pronounced decrease among all routes, of 78%. Frontex links this decline to preventive measures implemented by Mauritania starting in the spring of 2025 and, more recently, by Senegal and Gambia, in cooperation with Spain and the EU.
However, the agency warns that trafficking networks remain adaptable, and activity on this route is volatile and can change rapidly depending on conditions.
At the eastern land border, approximately 1,100 crossings were detected, a decrease of 49%. Frontex notes, however, that pressure from Belarus returned strongly in March, after a quieter start to the year, amid better weather and recent legislative changes that facilitated access to the border area.
At the EU border with Ukraine, crossings mainly involved Ukrainian men trying to avoid military mobilization.
Detected attempts to exit to the United Kingdom via the English Channel, which include both people who arrived in the UK and those prevented from leaving, have almost halved, reaching approximately 9,900.
Frontex clarifies that preliminary data refers to the number of detections of irregular crossings at the external borders of the EU. The same person may cross the border multiple times in different places, which means that the figures do not represent the unique number of individuals.
The agency states that it has over 3,800 officers present at the EU's external borders, where they support national authorities in protecting Europe's borders and in saving lives at sea.
Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The institution supports EU member states and Schengen associated countries in managing the external borders of the Union and in combating cross-border crime.
Data published for the first four months of 2026 should be read as detections of irregular crossings, not as a number of individuals. Frontex specifies that the same person can be detected multiple times, in different places, at the external borders of the Union.
Developments on routes show that the total decrease does not eliminate pressure on the external borders. Strong reductions on the West Africa route and the Central Mediterranean coexist with an increase on the Western Mediterranean, with renewed pressures from Belarus and risks related to instability in the Middle East.
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