An increase in repatriations of irregular migrants from Europe during the fourth quarter of 2025

The latest data issued by the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, showed that the number of repatriations of irregular migrants from European Union countries to third countries increased by 13% during the fourth quarter of 2025, despite a decline in the number of departure orders issued against them.

According to the data, European Union countries issued orders to leave their territories for 117,545 citizens from outside the Union during the same period, while 33,860 actual returns to third countries were carried out.

On an annual basis, the number of people asked to leave the Union decreased by 6.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, while the number of actual returns increased by 13%, and compared to the third quarter of 2025, the number of departure orders fell by 4.4%, and returns decreased slightly by 0.9%.

At the level of member states, France recorded the highest number of departure orders (34,040), followed by Spain (12,380) and Germany (10,720).

In terms of actual repatriations, Germany topped the list with 7,690 cases, followed by France with 3,800 cases, then Sweden with 2,870 cases.

These figures reflect the continued tightening of immigration policies in the European Union, with an increasing focus on implementing deportation decisions rather than issuing them.