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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

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