The core countries of focus for this region are Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to some of the countries over the rest.
As of 28 September 2025, Italy recorded 49,799 sea arrivals; overall arrivals were up 1% from last year but down 2% from last quarter. Most arrivals continued to depart from Libya (88%), though departures there fell by 8%. Only 544 individuals departed from Algeria, yet this marks a 98% increase from the previous quarter.
Arrivals to Crete from Libya rose to 13,059 as of 28 September 2025, a 318% increase from last year. In response, Greece suspended asylum processing for arrivals from North Africa and launched cooperation with the Libyan coast guard.
Italy and Turkey signed a new agreement to curb irregular migration from Libya. The deal focuses on joint coast guard operations, information sharing, and training to dismantle smuggling networks, aiming to reduce departures from Libya and strengthen security in the central Mediterranean.
Libyan authorities have stepped up deportations and detentions of migrants in the eastern part during summer 2025. 1,102 Egyptians were deported across several operations between 1 July and 22 September and around 700 Sudanese were deported in one operation on 18 July, while over 1,500 migrants were detained in workplace raids.
Tunisia is facing growing legal challenges over its treatment of migrants. Civil society groups are documenting alleged abuses to bring cases before international and regional courts.
The Western Mediterranean Route (14,648) has overtaken the Canary Islands route (27,557) as the main entry point to Spain for the first time since 2020; as of 28 September 2025, Spain recorded 26,019 arrivals, with WMR growth driven mainly by Algerians but also rising numbers of Moroccans, Somalis, Malians, and Guineans.
Irregular arrivals to Ceuta from Morocco have increased since late July 2025, with around 700 attempted crossings daily. In response, Spain and Morocco have intensified joint security operations and round-the-clock surveillance, while Spain plans to transfer 4,400 minors from Ceuta and the Canary Islands to mainland regions.
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.
