Coastal rescue services along the Belgian North Sea are being briefed on how to respond to increased small boat activity linked to attempted irregular crossings towards the United Kingdom. The sessions aim to strengthen awareness and improve coordination with relevant authorities ahead of the start of the beach surveillance season.

Based on data released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 7.900 deaths or disappearances were recorded on migration routes worldwide in 2025. This compares with approximately 9.200 recorded in 2024. The figures bring the cumulative total to more than 80.000 deaths or disappearances recorded since 2014, when the Missing Migrants Project began collecting data.

Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt is carrying out a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The visit takes place in the context of a marked increase in asylum applications from Congolese nationals in Belgium in recent years. The mission aims to discourage unfounded asylum applications, address the misuse of visa procedures, counter document fraud and misleading messages from smugglers, and strengthen cooperation on return and the fight against irregular migration. 

On 1 February 2026, Belgian Ministers Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Asylum and Migration) and Bernard Quintin (Interior) announced the extension of targeted internal checks, in place since July 2025, until at least 31 July 2026. The measures aim to curb irregular migration and secondary movements into Belgium while enforcing residence requirements and enhancing security. Targeted checks are conducted on major roads, long‑distance buses, selected trains, and intra‑Schengen flights.

On 11 November 2014, the European Commission has released its 6th bi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area covering the period from 1 May to 31 October 2014.

The European Commission published on 26 September 2014 a handbook to help EU Member States take action against marriages of convenience between EU citizens and non-EU nationals in the context of EU law on free movement. The Commission prepared the handbook in close cooperation with Member States.

2013 statistics on enforcement of immigration legislation have been released by Eurostat in September 2014.

This year, the EMN Conference aims to support the policymaking process on a number of key areas of irregular migration policy, namely readmission, return, reintegration and cooperation with countries of transit and origin, as well as re-entry bans and (alternatives to) detention.

The Court of Cassation ruled today that an administrative fine is due for carrying someone who doesn't hold documents to enter or transit Belgium, even if at the border an authorization to enter is issued.