Return

If migrants are not allowed, or are no longer allowed, to stay in an EU Member State or in the EU, they must return to their country of origin. Where possible, they return independently and voluntarily.

Organisations such as the Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) of the Ministry of Justice and Security and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provide support to migrants returning to their country of origin. Only when no other option is available is return enforced, which may involve the use of immigration detention.

The return of migrants who do not have the right to a residence permit is an essential part of EU migration policy, as agreed in the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. By ensuring the swift return of migrants without the right to stay, the EU also aims to discourage irregular migrants from undertaking the long and dangerous journey to Europe.

Please note: the publications on this page are from July 2024 onwards. For earlier publications, please switch to Dutch (the EMN PDFs of the publications on the Dutch pages are in English). The filter below is in Dutch and will be available in English towards the end of 2026.