New data from Eurostat reveals a significant shift in European migration patterns: while the number of migrants entering the European Union has steadily declined since 2022, repatriation orders have surged to their highest level in five years. The figures, released this week, suggest that EU member states are increasingly acting on promises to tighten border controls, though the gap between orders issued and actual returns remains substantial.
In 2025, the EU recorded approximately 4.5 million new migrants, a 24 percent drop from the 5.4 million seen in 2022. Asylum seekers granted protection also fell to 361,000, the lowest figure since 2019. At the same time, repatriation orders reached nearly half a million, the highest since 2019, while actual expulsions—155,000—were the largest since 2020.
Which Countries Are Leading on Expulsions?
Germany carried out the most expulsions overall, with nearly 30,000, followed by France at almost 15,000 and Sweden with more than 11,000. Turkish nationals were the most frequently repatriated group, with over 13,000 returns, followed by Georgians (10,475), Syrians (8,370), and Albanians (8,020).
However, when it comes to issuing repatriation orders, France stands out: it issued 138,000 such orders in 2025, compared to Germany's 55,000. This means the vast majority of people who received a repatriation order in France did not ultimately leave the country. Spain issued 54,000 orders, and the Netherlands 32,000.
The discrepancy between orders and actual returns can be attributed to several factors. Authorities often struggle to establish a migrant's country of origin, while repatriations may be delayed due to health issues or suspended in cases involving unaccompanied minors. The European Commission has acknowledged these challenges, noting that member states are working to improve cooperation with third countries to facilitate returns.
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, told Europe in Motion that the bloc is “on the final stretch of the largest reform of the European asylum and migration system to date.” He added that the EU is strengthening cooperation with third countries to manage migration and deter illegal crossings and smuggling, though “a lot of work” remains.
In a related development, the Council of Europe has backed a new migrant returns policy, with Italy claiming credit for the initiative. The policy aims to streamline repatriation processes and address the gap between orders and actual returns.
Border Pushbacks on the Rise
Beyond repatriations, more people are being turned away at EU borders. In 2025, 133,000 individuals were refused entry, up from both 2024 and 2023. The most common reason—30 percent of cases—was failure to provide a valid purpose and conditions for stay. Another 17 percent had already spent three months in the EU over a six-month period, while 15 percent lacked a valid visa, and 13 percent were flagged due to an alert about their presence.
Poland reported the highest number of border pushbacks, nearly 30,000, followed by France at just over 12,000. These figures underscore the uneven distribution of migration pressures across the continent, with countries on the EU's eastern and southern flanks often bearing the brunt.
The European Commission recently published a report on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, claiming that member states “have significantly advanced” in putting the reforms into practice. The pact, which aims to create a more predictable and fair system for managing migration, includes measures for faster asylum procedures, stronger border controls, and enhanced solidarity among member states.
However, the gap between policy and practice remains evident. While the EU is investing in what Brunner calls “the most modern border management system in the world”—the Entry/Exit system—critics argue that the focus on deterrence and returns does not address the root causes of migration, such as conflict, climate change, and economic inequality. The plight of Europe's first climate migrants highlights the growing complexity of migration drivers.
As the EU moves forward with its migration reforms, the data from Eurostat offers a mixed picture: fewer people are arriving, but those who do face a tougher system. Whether the bloc can balance enforcement with humanitarian obligations will remain a key test for its political cohesion.
