Mixed Migration in Europe

Migration to and within Europe is marked by significant diversity, involving refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and others driven by a complex mix of conflict, insecurity and economic factors. Journeys are perilous and involve significant challenges along the way, heavily influenced by shifting policies, border controls, and the broader European response to migration. European governments are increasingly adopting restrictive migration policies that undermine their ability to safeguard refugees’ and migrants’ rights and provide essential services. This hardline stance further complicates efforts to enhance support systems and create meaningful pathways for entry, residence, and integration.

Mixed migration to Europe follows several key routes: the Eastern Mediterranean Route from Turkey to Greece, the Central Mediterranean Route from North Africa to Italy, and the Western Mediterranean Route from North Africa to Spain. Additionally, the Atlantic Route, which involves crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands, has seen a resurgence in recent years.

The Western Balkan Route serves as both an entry and transit corridor, with migrants traveling through Southeast Europe towards Western Europe, Within Europe, the English Channel, for example, has become a prominent route for those attempting to cross from France to the UK. Further, the displacement crisis triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has resulted in millions of people fleeing to neighboring countries and beyond, marking one of the largest movements of people within Europe in recent history.

In recent years, another notable development has been the movement of migrants through Belarus to Poland and other EU countries, as well as through Russia to neighboring states. These routes have introduced new challenges to migration management in Europe, adding complexity to the existing migration landscape