In 2019, Fedasil and its partners organised on average 200 voluntary returns per month, which corresponds to a total of 2.426 persons. Compared to last year, this represents a decrease of 21%.

The 2.994 voluntary returns to the countries of origin do not include the 50 persons who voluntarily returned to the EU country where they had already applied for international protection. These departures are organised by the Immigration Office in the framework of the Dublin convention.

The top 5 destinations representing almost 50% of the total returns were: Brazil, Romania, Ukraine, Iraq and Georgia.

Regarding the administrative status of the returnees: 63% were irregularly staying, 24% have received a negative decision and 12% were still in the procedure for international protection. This year confirms the increasing share of irregularly staying migrants benefiting from the voluntary return programme.

Photo by Johan Van Wambeke on Unsplash