Expulsions in Europe: Second-Quarter 2025 Figures and Tunisia’s Position

In the second quarter of 2025, the European Union recorded 116,495 people ordered to leave its territory. This represents an increase of 3.6% compared to Q2 2024, but a decrease of 6.3% compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Over the same period, effective removals to third countries reached 28,355 people, marking a 12.7% year-on-year increase but a 0.8% decline compared to the previous quarter. The “gross” execution rate therefore stands at around 24.3% (28,355 / 116,495).

France, Spain and Germany account for more than half of orders

Three member states account for more than half of all decisions. France issued 34,760 orders to leave in Q2 2025, Spain 14,545, and Germany 14,095. Together, these jurisdictions represent 54.4% of the EU total, confirming their central role in the administrative and judicial removal process.

Nationalities most targeted by orders

Orders to leave mainly targeted nationals from North Africa and neighboring regions: Algeria (9,805), Morocco (7,085), Turkey (6,310), Syria (5,465) and Mali (4,720). This distribution reflects both the geographical realities of migration flows and the operational priorities of member states.

Effective returns remain below orders

Although effective returns remain structurally lower than the number of orders, they show annual growth. The top five nationalities returned in Q2 2025 were Georgia (2,460), Turkey (2,020), Albania (1,945), Moldova (1,210) and Syria (1,140).

By member state, France carried out 3,685 returns, Germany 3,445, and Sweden 2,865. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 35.3% of all returns to third countries.

Voluntary returns take precedence

The breakdown of returns highlights a majority share of voluntary departures: 53.7% voluntary compared to 46.3% forced. Assisted returns—which include financial, logistical, and social support—represented 75.4% of the total, a policy approach designed to enhance the sustainability of returns and reduce litigation.

Unaccompanied minors remain a concern

Unaccompanied minors remain a sensitive issue. In Q2 2025, 490 minors received an order to leave the territory, and 50 returns were carried out. While modest in absolute numbers, these figures require qualitative analysis, particularly regarding procedural safeguards and assessments of the child’s best interests.

Tunisia’s position in the rankings

In Q2 2025, Tunisian nationals did not appear in the top five nationalities most affected either by orders to leave or by effective returns.

In practice, this means the number of Tunisians concerned remains below the volumes recorded for the leading nationalities during the quarter.

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, three dynamics warrant close attention: the persistent gap between decisions and executions, states’ ability to secure laissez-passers and operational readmission agreements, and the trajectory of assisted voluntary returns, which tend to be less contentious and faster to implement.