During the informal European Justice and Home Affairs Council in Cyprus on 22 January 2026, Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt announced targeted measures to encourage the voluntary return of Syrian nationals. The plan includes enhanced reintegration assistance for Syrians choosing to return to their country, while continuing to implement forced returns for non-cooperating individuals in general, prioritising those irregularly staying in Belgium with criminal convictions.

In its judgment in Case C-679/23 P (WS and Others v Frontex), the Court of Justice of the European Union found that Frontex has specific obligations under EU law in joint return operations, including verifying the existence of enforceable return decisions for all persons involved. The ruling also emphasised that infringements of fundamental rights during such operations may give rise to the agency’s liability. 

The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on a proposal for an EU regulation establishing a common system for the return of third‑country nationals staying in the EU illegally. The proposed regulation introduces common procedures, obligations for those without the right to stay, and tools for cooperation between Member States. It also allows for the creation of return hubs in third countries. Negotiations with the European Parliament will follow to agree on the final text.

On 3 December, CIRÉ launched a campaign to inform the public about a draft law that would permit police, under judicial authorisation, to carry out home searches in specific cases involving foreign nationals subject to enforceable return decisions. The organisation highlights potential concerns regarding privacy and constitutional rights. Several Brussels municipalities have already expressed opposition to the measure. The campaign aims to encourage parliamentary scrutiny and public debate on the proposal.

On 1 December 2025, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the revision of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). The updated framework introduces, for the first time, a link between trade benefits and the cooperation of developing countries on migration and readmission of their nationals. The legislation is expected to apply from 1 January 2027.

During this event, key challenges associated with the European return system will be examined, including divergences in Member States’ practices and obstacles to forced return. The conference will then focus on ongoing legislative developments and their implications for migration management and the Schengen area. Participants will discuss the role of a common and effective return system in supporting cooperation and migration management under the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.

On 17 November 2025, the City of Brussels adopted a motion for a welcoming, responsible and caring city, opposing the draft law allowing judicially authorised home searches for irregularly staying migrants. The motion emphasises that security and human dignity are inextricably linked and states that Brussels must remain a welcoming, responsible and just city, faithful to its constitutional and European obligations.

Belgium has laid the first stone of a new short-stay departure centre in Steenokkerzeel, aimed at housing individuals in irregular stay pending return. The 50-place facility is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. It forms part of a broader plan to expand and improve the country’s closed centres.

From 3 to 7 November 2025, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) conducted an evaluation visit to Belgium under the fourth cycle of its monitoring of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The evaluation focuses on vulnerabilities to trafficking, the measures taken to prevent and detect them, support victims, and sanction perpetrators, with particular attention to the role of information and communication technologies.

Belgium and Morocco have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation across multiple areas, aiming for concrete and measurable results. The deal covers security, justice, economic development, and migration. Belgium has also committed to supporting Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, a region that has been at the centre of an international dispute for nearly fifty years.

On 20 October 2025, around 200 Belgian actors and European partners gathered to mark thirty years of the fight against human trafficking in Belgium, highlighting both the strengths of a multidisciplinary and specialised system based on collaboration and information sharing, and the ongoing challenges, such as limited resources, difficulties in securing compensation for victims, the protection of minors, and adapting to emerging forms of trafficking.

On 16 October 2025, twenty EU Member States signed a joint letter urging the European Commission to take coordinated steps to enable voluntary and forced return to Afghanistan. The initiative, led by Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, calls for a coherent European approach to address cases of Afghan nationals residing irregularly in the EU, particularly those posing a threat to public order or national security. The signatories stress that credible migration policies require effective return mechanisms and call for tangible progress by the end of the year.

In March 2025, the European Commission proposed a regulation establishing a common return system for third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU. Médecins du Monde and PICUM have published a report highlighting potential risks associated with the proposal, particularly concerning access to healthcare and data protection. The report outlines how the proposal may affect the rights of individuals, including vulnerable groups, and raises ethical concerns for professionals. The organisations call on EU lawmakers to ensure that the regulation respects fundamental rights and medical ethics.

From 13 to 18 October, PAG-ASA organises a series of activities in Brussels as part of the Human Trafficking Awareness Week. The events aim to raise awareness of human trafficking, its impact on victims, and the Belgian protection framework. Activities include exhibitions, film screenings, and professional trainings. EMN Belgium attended one of the film screenings, reflecting on forms of labour exploitation and the challenges involved in assisting and upholding the rights of victims.

Over 70 specialists from 26 countries took part in a Europol-supported hackathon aimed at detecting online activities linked to human trafficking. The operation, led by the Netherlands with the support of Germany and the United Kingdom, identified over 30 potential victims and more than 30 suspected perpetrators. The Belgian authorities also took part in this fourth edition of the EMPACT Trafficking in Human Beings Hackathon, which targeted both sexual and labour exploitation online.

Belgian Ministers of Justice and Asylum and Migration, Annelies Verlinden and Anneleen Van Bossuyt, visited Albania and Kosovo on 6–8 October 2025. Their discussions addressed migration management, prison overcrowding, and bilateral cooperation in justice and security. Meetings involved national authorities and highlighted ongoing collaboration between Belgium and the two countries.

This conference will explore three main areas: national policies and victim protection across Member States, strategies to address new forms of trafficking and dismantle criminal networks, and perspectives on international cooperation tools related to security. The event will bring together policymakers, experts, and civil society to discuss these challenges. Participants will also hear about the EU Strategy on combating trafficking in human beings.

On 2 October 2025, EMN France brought together numerous French and European stakeholders to take stock of efforts to combat human trafficking at both national and European levels. The event provided an opportunity to identify emerging forms of trafficking and to examine international cooperation tools such as Common Operational Partnerships and EMPACT-coordinated actions.

The Fedasil Info Point in Brussels has been supporting asylum seekers and other migrants for two years, providing accessible and centralised information in one location. Since reopening on 27 September 2023 at the former Bordet Hospital site, it has welcomed over 22.000 visitors, mostly single men with ongoing asylum procedures. Visitors most frequently ask about accommodation, medical care, legal support, and other practical matters. Partners such as Caritas International and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) assist in providing guidance and support.

The Presidency of the Council and European Parliament negotiators have reached a provisional agreement to enhance Europol’s role in supporting Member States against migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The deal focuses on improving information sharing and operational coordination at EU level. A European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling will be established within Europol. The agreement must still be formally approved by both the Council and the European Parliament.

Fedasil is organising an exhibition on voluntary return and reintegration at the Wintercircus. The Ghent-based Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer portrays the stories of, among others, Rosa from El Salvador and Igis from Albania. This exhibition is organised in collaboration with Caritas International and the International Organization for Migration, with the support of AMIF.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a recommendation outlining a common framework for the gradual transition of displaced Ukrainians out of temporary protection. The measures aim to support sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine when conditions allow, while also facilitating access to other residence statuses for those eligible. The recommendation provides guidance on voluntary return, reintegration support and information systems for displaced persons.

The European Commission’s proposed Return Regulation introduces measures to increase return rates across the EU. These include extended detention periods, returns to non-EU countries with no prior personal ties, offshore “return hubs”, and obligations for individuals subject to return orders. Over 200 civil society organisations have raised concerns about fundamental rights, legal uncertainty, and disproportionate impacts. They call on EU institutions to withdraw the proposal and reject it in its current form.