April 25, 2026, 08:54April 25, 2026, 08:54
Despite an increased number of deportations from EU countries, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner expresses dissatisfaction and insists on speeding up the tightening of EU asylum policy. “In 2025, 28 percent of migrants required to leave the EU were returned. “This is the highest value so far this decade,” Brunner told “Welt am Sonntag”.
Magnus Brunner.Image: keystone
“More than 491,000 people were required to leave the country last year, around 135,000 of whom were repatriated.” The reason for this is, among other things, the consistent approach of the member states, but also more stability in some host countries and a better information system. “Nevertheless, the higher number of returns last year cannot satisfy us,” said Brunner.
Brunner: Internal reforms are not enough
“The old rules for returning illegal migrants in the EU simply do not work well enough. That’s why it’s all the more important that the new return regulation, which we presented last year, is quickly passed by Parliament and the Council.” This is exactly where it comes in: “We are creating stricter rules for criminals, clear and binding obligations for people with deportation orders and bringing more efficiency to cooperation between the member states.”
The return regulation stipulates, among other things, that people who do not receive protection and have to leave the country can be held in detention pending deportation for longer. It also enables asylum seekers to be deported to so-called return hubs in countries outside the EU.
Brunner emphasized that internal reforms alone are not enough. More external consistency is also needed. “Third countries have to take back their own citizens – and we are using our levers specifically to do this. Visa policy, trade and development funds will be more closely linked to cooperation on migration in the future.” (hkl/sda/dpa)