Q3 2023: Returns up by 12% from same quarter of 2022

In the third quarter of 2023, 107 135 non-EU citizens were ordered to leave an EU country, and a total of 27 095 were returned to another country following an order to leave. Compared with the same quarter of 2022, the number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave decreased by 4%, while the number of people returned to another country rose by 12%. 

Compared with the previous quarter of this year, the number of orders to leave (+1%) and returns (+2%) registered slightly increases. 

The majority of those returned, in accordance with an order to leave, were returned to countries outside of the EU (81% of individuals in the third quarter of 2023).
 

Source dataset: migr_eiord1 and migr_eirtn1

Among those ordered to leave the territory of an EU country, in the third quarter of 2023, Moroccan had the biggest share of the total (8%), followed by Syrian and Algerian citizens (7% each), as well as Afghanistan citizens (6%) and Türkiye and Georgia (each 5%). 

Among those returned to another country, most were citizens of Georgia (11%), followed by Albania and Türkiye (each 7%), and Moldova (4%). 

Looking at national data, the highest numbers of non-EU citizens ordered to leave the territory of an EU country were recorded in France (29 885), Germany (11 470) and Greece (9 545). 

Germany (4 100), Sweden (2 865) and France (2 850) recorded the highest number of people returned to another country.
 

Source dataset: migr_eiord1 and migr_eirtn1