The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have proposed a new horizontal EU sanctions regime targeting migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and other serious forms of organised crime. The proposed framework would allow the European Union to impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities involved in such activities originating outside the EU where they pose a serious threat to the Union's values, the security of the EU and its Member States, or to international security. The proposals will now be examined by the Council.

België heeft, samen met de Europese Commissie, de rol van medevoorzitter van de EMN Return Expert Group (REG) op zich genomen. In die hoedanigheid was EMN België op 16 juni 2026 gastheer van een plenaire vergadering van de REG in Brussel.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

The Belgian Constitutional Court has clarified how the means of subsistence requirement applies in family reunification applications. The ruling establishes that the means of subsistence of both the Belgian sponsor and their partner must be taken into account when assessing compliance with this requirement. Previously, some applications were refused because only the sponsor’s means were considered. The decision aims to ensure compliance with principles of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for family life.

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.

This conference will address the pressing issue of human trafficking affecting young people in Belgium, including sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and economic exploitation. It will bring together international experts, as well as Minister Yves Coppieters, responsible for Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities, to discuss the current situation, share experiences, and highlight effective measures to protect youth. The Samilia Prize will be presented later in the evening.

The TRAQ study day will take a close look at the status of victims of smuggling in human beings under aggravating circumstances in Belgium. Introduced in 2006, this residence status for victims who cooperate with authorities has seen limited use and has never been thoroughly analysed. Within the framework of « TRAQ » (Trafic Analyses Qualitatives), Myria and the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (INCC) conducted a study on its implementation. The findings will be shared to stimulate discussion and reflection among experts and stakeholders.

Belgian judicial and law enforcement authorities contributed to an operation targeting a criminal network supplying small boats for migrant crossings. Four high-level suspects were arrested in Germany and are expected to be extradited to Belgium for prosecution in Bruges. Searches in Germany and Belgium resulted in the seizure of boats, engines, life jackets, cash, and other equipment used in the smuggling activities.

On 24 March 2026, Europol has launched the European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) in The Hague. The centre is intended to strengthen the EU’s response to migrant smuggling networks. It focuses on intelligence-led, data-driven and financial investigations. The initiative builds on over a decade of operational work, including the European Migrant Smuggling Centre established in 2016, which supported Member States through arrests, network dismantling and joint operations.

Authorities in Belgium have reported a notable increase in migrant smuggling attempts along the country’s North Sea coast in recent weeks, prompting enhanced law enforcement action and efforts to strengthen international cooperation. Federal and local police forces have stepped up patrols and arrests as part of a broader response to the phenomenon, while Belgium and the United Kingdom are exploring closer collaboration to address the cross-border dimension.

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.

Myria has released its first comprehensive mapping of quantitative data on minor victims of human trafficking and aggravated forms of smuggling in Belgium. The report aims to provide a clearer statistical basis for understanding the situation of minors at risk, while also highlighting structural gaps in current data collection and sharing practices.

The Belgian Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended legislative measures introduced in 2025 that tightened rules on material reception conditions for asylum seekers and family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. The suspensions concern two separate laws, and the Court has referred several preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify their compatibility with EU law.