Q1 2023: Returns up 37% from Q1 2022

In the first quarter of 2023, there were 27 880 non-EU citizens returned to another country (including to other EU countries) following an order to leave. Compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2022), returns increased, but only slightly by 0.4%, but if comparing with the same quarter of 2022, returns increased substantially by 37%. 

In the same quarter, 111 275 non-EU citizens were ordered to leave an EU country, indicating a 10% decreased compared with Q4 2022. Compared with the same quarter of 2022, this number rose by 24%. 

Source datasets:  migr_eiord1, migr_eirtn1

15% of total returns in the EU reported by France

In the case of non-EU citizens returned to another country following an order to leave, France also reported the largest number of non-EU citizens returned in the first quarter of 2023, a total of 4 190, representing 15% of the total of returns. France was followed by Germany (3 355; 12%), the Netherlands (2 505; 9%), Sweden (2 380; 9%) and Cyprus (1 705; 6%).

Georgians (2 465) topped the list of non-EU citizens who returned to another country in the first quarter of 2023, followed by Indians (2 250), Albanians (1 875), Turks (1 365) and Moldovans (1 250). 

Source datasets:  migr_eiord1, migr_eirtn1

France: highest number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave

In the first quarter of 2023, among the EU countries, France reported the largest number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave its territory: 37 860 people, representing 34% of the total. France was followed by Germany (9 905), the Netherlands (7 500), Italy (6 920), Belgium (6 470) and Greece (6 350).

Compared with the last quarter of 2022, Hungary recorded the highest relative increase in the number of people ordered to leave (+178%), jumping from 625 to 1740. 

In terms of citizenships of the people ordered to leave an EU country territory, Moroccans (9 500) represented the biggest share of the total (8.5%), followed by Algerians (9 275), Afghans (7 120), Indians (5 885) and Tunisians (5 245).