A draft law introducing the possibility of home searches to enforce return decisions has begun its parliamentary examination in the House of Representatives. The measure would concern certain third-country nationals subject to an enforceable return decision who do not cooperate with their return and are considered to pose a risk to public order or national security. Discussed by the Committee on Home Affairs on 16 June 2026, the proposal will be subject to consultations with experts and stakeholders before the committee continues its examination.

Belgium has taken up its role as Co-Chair of the EMN Return Expert Group (REG), together with the European Commission. In this capacity, EMN Belgium hosted a plenary meeting of the REG on 16 June 2026 in Brussels.

On 23 April 2026, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a bill introducing the possibility of imposing a lifetime entry ban on certain foreign nationals. The measure concerns individuals registered in the national database on terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and amends the Law of 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreign nationals.

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. 

Belgium and Algeria have signed two linked agreements, one on the readmission of irregularly staying Algerians and another providing a visa exemption for holders of Algerian diplomatic and service passports. The readmission agreement introduces measures to speed up identification, extend the validity of travel documents, allow the return of multiple individuals on the same flight, and permit the use of Algerian escorts during enforced returns.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. Among the key measures, third-country nationals with a return decision must cooperate with authorities, may be returned to an agreeing third country, and could face detention of up to 24 months if they do not cooperate or risk absconding. The vote now moves to the full Parliament for approval, paving the way for negotiations with the Council on the final form of the legislation.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on how maximum detention periods should be calculated for third-country nationals subject to return procedures. It confirmed that all periods of detention related to the same return decision must be aggregated, even if separated by periods of liberty. The Court also clarified that exceeding the initial six-month detention limit requires judicial review, which must be conducted as soon as possible after an extension decision.

Civil society organisations, as highlighted by Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, have urged the federal government to abandon the draft law allowing home searches for enforcement of return decisions, citing serious concerns raised by the Council of State. The draft law, first adopted by the Council of Ministers in July 2025, has faced scrutiny from several advisory bodies, including Myria, the Children’s Rights Delegate, and the Data Protection Authority. Municipal motions in various cities, including Brussels, Verviers, and La Hulpe, have also questioned its provisions.

A joint initiative coordinated by the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) has brought together over 100 organisations across Europe to urge EU institutions to reject the proposed Return Regulation. The statement, issued on 11 February 2026, highlights concerns that the regulation could expand immigration detention, limit access to essential services, and increase surveillance and control over people in an irregular situation. The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to vote on the proposal in early March 2026.

On 3 February 2026, Fedasil published its statistics on voluntary returns for 2025. A total of 3.122 people chose to return to their country of origin. The number is slightly lower than in 2024 but higher than in 2023. The top destination countries include Brazil, Moldova, Syria, Colombia, and Turkey.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a new thematic booklet as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication presents recent figures on return, detention and removal, while analysing major legislative developments in Belgian return policy. It also examines the situation of detainees without legal residence in Belgian prisons and reviews the creation of the National Preventive Mechanism against ill-treatment in detention. According to Myria, return indicators have continued to rise after the pandemic, while new laws significantly expand the use of control and coercive measures.

Belgium has confirmed its participation in an exploratory administrative mission to Afghanistan, representing 20 European Union Member States. The announcement was made by Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt. The mission, organised by the European Commission, aimed to establish technical administrative contacts with Afghan authorities. The initiative has drawn attention from refugee organisations, which have expressed concern about engagement with the Taliban regime.

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.

The Return Expert Group (REG) within the EMN conducted a successful workshop dedicated to advancing multistakeholder governance towards case resolution of undocumented migrants. Facilitated by EMN Belgium and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil), this event focused on fostering connections between national authorities, local administrations and civil society organisations (CSOs). 

In a press release published today, Doctors of the World declared that it opposes a new article of the draft law presented by Nicole de Moor, providing for the possibility of carrying out medical examinations under constraint to facilitate the forced return of third-country nationals. Doctors of the World says this measure risks further complicating access to health care for these particularly vulnerable people.

Nicole de Moor presented today a draft law which aims, in accordance with the federal government agreement, to enshrine in law a proactive return policy. The draft law inter alia provides for the obligation to cooperate in the return procedure and for the intensive individual follow up of third-country nationals who have received an order to leave the territory.

After the terrorist attack perpetrated by an illegally staying failed asylum seeker in the centre of Brussels on 16 October, various policymakers plead for better follow-up of failed asylum seekers and stricter enforcement of orders to leave the territory.

In its judgment in Case C-143/22 | ADDE and Others, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled today that the Return Directive applies to any third-country national who has entered the territory of a Member State without fulfilling the conditions of entry, stay or residence. That also applies when the person concerned has entered that territory even before crossing a border crossing point where such checks are carried out.

In its judgment in Case T-600/21 | WS and Others v Frontex, the General Court dismissed today the action of a number of Syrian refugees who had brought a claim for compensation before the General Court of the European Union. The applicants claimed that Frontex engaged in improper conduct with regard to them.

Frontex is launching a new open call for proposals aimed at concluding new framework partnership agreements to provide post-arrival and post-return assistance in 39 countries of origin, with qualified service providers from the non-profit sector, international organisations and national authorities from EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries for a period of two and a half years. 

In the first three months of this year, 959 irregularly staying third-country nationals were subject to forced return from Belgium. That is twice as many as in the same period last year, when it concerned 502 persons.

The Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor is on a mission to Vietnam to strengthen cooperation with that country regarding the prevention of irregular migration and return.