Europe is setting records for the number of migrant deportations — Euronews
The EU is radically changing its approach to migration policy, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of asylum seekers arriving and deportation figures reaching record highs not seen in years.
According to a recent Euronews study, the number of new migrants entering the EU has steadily declined over the past four years—figures dropped from 5.4 million to 4.5 million in 2024, representing a 24% decrease.
Statistics for 2025 also confirm this decline, as only 361,000 people were granted protection status, the lowest figure in the past six years.
At the same time, the number of official orders for the repatriation of foreigners is rapidly increasing across the bloc.
Last year, European authorities issued nearly half a million such decisions, and although only a third of those affected actually return to their home countries, the actual number of deportations—155,000 people—was the highest since the start of the decade.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner announced the final stage of a major reform during a speech at Europe in Motion.
Outlining the plans, the official emphasized: “With this, we are strengthening the protection of our external borders by implementing the world’s most advanced border management system—the entry/exit system.”
Throughout 2025, European countries most frequently deported Turkish citizens, with the number exceeding 13,000 people.
Next on the list in terms of deportations are Georgian citizens—10,475 people—followed by those from Syria and Albania.
Germany has taken the toughest stance on this issue, with Berlin carrying out nearly 30,000 actual deportations over the course of the year, while France deported 15,000 people and Sweden—over 11,000.
At the same time, France leads in the number of deportation orders issued, with 138,000 orders, but most of these people ultimately remained in the country due to the inability to determine their country of origin, health issues, or their status as minors.
At Europe’s external borders, foreigners have also been denied entry significantly more often, with 133,000 people barred from entering in 2025.
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