This Quarterly Mixed Migration Update (QMMU) covers Europe. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to certain countries over others.
Irregular migration to the EU falls by a fifth compared to previous year: According to preliminary Frontex data for the first half of 2025, the number of irregular arrivals in the EU has dropped 20% compared to the same period in 2024, totalling around 75,900. However, while certain routes saw significant reductions, including the Western Balkans (-53%), the Atlantic route (-41%), the Eastern Mediterranean route (-24%) and the Eastern Land Border (-50%), the Central Mediterranean is roughly the same as the previous year while the Western Mediterranean route saw an increase (+22%).
Greece suspends asylum applications from North Africa: In response to the growing number of migrants travelling from Libya to Crete, in early July the Greek government announced a three-month suspension of asylum applications for anyone arriving from North Africa. The legislation does not appear to include any of the usual exemptions for high-risk groups, such as unaccompanied minors and pregnant women.
Search and rescue vessel comes under attack by Libyan coast guards: On 24 August 2025, the Libyan coast guard – using a boat that was given by Italy with EU funding – shot directly at the humanitarian boat Ocean Viking shortly after it had rescued 87 migrants from a boat in distress.
Racist violence breaks out in southern Spain: Following reports of a pensioner being beaten in the southern town of Torre Pacheco, allegedly by three men of North African origins, violent anti-migrant protests broke out over several nights, with much of the violence driven by misinformation online.
Lampedusa’s “gestures of hospitality” nominated for UNESCO recognition: Lampedusa’s long-standing culture of solidarity toward migrants has gained international recognition, with the island nominated for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status, highlighting a humanitarian alternative to Europe’s securitised migration approach.
Germany steps up deportations to Afghanistan: Germany has increased deportations during 2025, including to Afghanistan, with 81 Afghans with criminal records flown out in July – the second such operation since the Taliban took power in 2021.
Transition plan for displaced Ukrainians published: in September the Council of Europe published a recommendation “the sustainable return and reintegration” of displaced Ukrainians, though officials have said it is not intended as a call for immediate return.
The “one in, one out” agreement between the UK and France begins: The “one in, one out” agreement, announced in June and coming into effect in August, allows for the UK to return up to 50 irregular migrants a week soon after they are apprehended in return for accepting the equivalent number of approved asylum seekers from France.
European court ruling puts “safe countries” concept under spotlight: A ruling by the European Court of Justice at the beginning of August in relation to Italy’s proposed asylum processing facilities in Albania dealt a “heavy blow” to the programme.
The QMMUs offer a quarterly update on new trends and dynamics related to mixed migration and relevant policy developments in the region. These updates are based on a compilation of a wide range of secondary (data) sources, brought together within a regional framework and applying a mixed migration analytical lens. Similar QMMUs are available for all MMC regions.
