EU adopts European Return Order to tighten migration enforcement
The European Union is preparing new legislation aimed at increasing the efficiency of returning migrants who are residing illegally in its territory. The draft regulation, awaiting formal approval, introduces the European Return Order (ERO) – a standardized form that member states must use to record key elements of return decisions – and proposes the establishment of return centers in third countries.
Eurostat data cited for 2025 show that roughly 720,000 third‑country nationals were detected living illegally in the EU, a 21.7% decline from 2024. In the same year, more than 132,000 persons were denied entry to the bloc (up 7.1% year‑on‑year), over 491,000 exit orders were issued and 135,000 individuals were returned, representing increases of 5.8% and 20.9% respectively compared with the previous year. The largest groups sent back were citizens of Turkey, Georgia, Syria, Albania and Russia. The Council of the European Union reports that most deportations continue to be carried out on a voluntary basis. The European Parliament has already approved the regulation, and it now awaits adoption by the Council.
Entities: Council of the European Union · European Parliament · European Return Order · European Union · Michał Wawrykiewicz
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Over 491,000 exit orders were issued and more than 135,000 individuals were returned in 2025, up 5.8% and 20.9% respectively compared with 2024. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The majority of returned individuals were nationals of Turkey, Georgia, Syria, Albania and Russia. (All articles)
- [DISPUTED] The European Parliament has approved the regulation and it now awaits adoption by the Council of the European Union. (All articles)
- [DISPUTED] The European Union is preparing new legislation to improve the efficiency of returning illegal migrants. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Most deportations are currently carried out on a voluntary basis. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 132,000 persons were denied entry to the EU in 2025, a 7.1% increase year‑on‑year. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The regulation includes the European Return Order (ERO) form that member states must use to record return decisions. (All articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Eurostat data for 2025 show about 720,000 third‑country nationals detected illegally in the EU, 21.7% fewer than in 2024. (All articles)