According to Eurostat data, the second quarter of 2025 shows complex dynamics in the European Union’s migration policy. While there was an overall annual increase of 12.7% in the number of returns, quarterly statistics demonstrate an opposite trend.
The number of returns to third countries reached 28,355 people, which is 12.7% more than in the second quarter of 2024. However, compared to the previous quarter, this figure decreased by 0.8%. Such opposing dynamics indicate seasonal fluctuations or changes in approaches to implementing migration policy.
The increase in actual returns is occurring against a backdrop of a decrease in the number of orders to leave. In the second quarter of 2025, 116,495 third-country nationals were ordered to leave the EU—6.3% less than in the previous quarter, but 3.6% more than a year earlier. This points to an increase in the efficiency of enforcing already issued orders.
A geographical analysis reveals different priorities in return policy. The top three nationalities by number of issued orders are citizens of Algeria (9,805), Morocco (7,085), and Turkey (6,310). However, in terms of actual returns, different nationalities dominate: Georgia (2,460), Turkey (2,020), and Albania (1,945). This discrepancy indicates varying effectiveness of readmission agreements with different countries of origin.
Among EU countries, the greatest burden of returning migrants falls on France (34,760 orders), Spain (14,545), and Germany (14,095). Meanwhile, in terms of actual returns, France (3,685), Germany (3,445), and Sweden (2,865) lead. The ratio between the number of orders and actual returns varies by country, reflecting differences in administrative capacities and the priorities of national migration services.
The presented statistics indicate a complex balance between preventive measures (issuing orders) and the practical implementation of migration policy (actual returns), where an increase in efficiency in certain areas is combined with an overall decrease in activity in the last quarter.