After months of negotiations, France and the United Kingdom have agreed to extend the Sandhurst Treaty for another three years. Originally signed in 2018 and first renewed in 2023, the pact is designed to curb illegal crossings of the English Channel. The new agreement, which runs until 2026, includes a significant increase in British financial contributions and a doubling of police personnel dedicated to monitoring the coastline.
Under the terms, London will provide up to €766 million over three years, though €186 million of that is conditional on the effectiveness of the measures implemented. The guaranteed sum of €580 million marks a rise from the previous €540 million. French authorities will also deploy a dedicated Republican Security Corps (CRS) unit, financed by France, equipped with drones, helicopters, and other electronic surveillance tools.
Enhanced Surveillance and Detention
On Thursday, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and his UK counterpart Shabana Mahmood are scheduled to visit the construction site of an administrative detention centre in Loon-Plage, near Dunkirk. This facility will hold foreign nationals subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) until their deportations are carried out. The move underscores the growing emphasis on enforcement and deterrence.
According to UK officials, an estimated 41,500 people crossed the Channel to reach Britain in 2025 using small boats, the second-highest figure since such crossings began in 2018. France, however, claims that arrivals in the UK have halved compared to the same period in 2025. The discrepancy highlights ongoing challenges in data collection and coordination between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark” that “takes things further by strengthening intelligence, surveillance and presence on the ground to protect the UK's borders.” He added that collaboration between the UK and France has “already prevented tens of thousands of crossings.” In the summer of 2025, the two nations also signed a separate deal known as “one-in-one-out,” or Operation Hillmore, aimed at streamlining returns.
The renewed pact comes amid broader European debates on border security and migration. For instance, Poland recently reported a 96% drop in illegal border crossings from Belarus after implementing stricter controls. Meanwhile, the EU continues to grapple with internal disagreements over migration policy, as seen in discussions about ending unanimity voting to prevent future vetoes.
Critics argue that the Sandhurst Treaty focuses heavily on deterrence rather than addressing the root causes of migration, such as conflict, poverty, and climate change. However, both governments maintain that the measures are necessary to save lives and maintain border integrity. The increased funding and personnel reflect a shared commitment to tackling what remains a politically sensitive issue on both sides of the Channel.
