EU wants to give Frontex greater powers over returns
The European Commission wants the border agency to help return migrants outside the EU as well.
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Under plans by the European Commission, Frontex is to play a greater role in returning migrants without the right to stay. The agency could also operate outside the European Union, including at return hubs in third countries.
The European Commission wants to give Frontex a greater role in return operations. Euronews reports that under the plans, the European Border and Coast Guard could help transfer migrants between third countries, for example from North Africa to their country of origin.
Frontex already supports EU countries with returns. This includes coordinating flights, arranging travel documents and providing support for voluntary or forced returns. The new plans would also give the agency a role in return operations carried out entirely outside EU territory.
The expansion forms part of a broader European policy to manage migration outside the EU at an earlier stage. The Commission also wants to work with countries of origin and transit countries, and to digitise procedures. In October, the Commission already announced that Frontex should be given a greater role in returning people without lawful residence.
According to Euronews, one part of the plans concerns so-called return hubs. EU countries could accommodate migrants there whose asylum applications or residence status have been rejected, pending their return to their country of origin. Euronews reports that five EU countries are negotiating over the first hub, which is expected to become operational in 2027.
The proposals could become politically sensitive. Supporters expect a joint European service to make returns more efficient and deter people smuggling. Critics fear that European responsibility will be outsourced to countries where oversight and legal protection are weaker.
The Commission stresses that returns must take place within EU law and with respect for the principle of non-refoulement. This means that people must not be returned to a place where they risk persecution or serious harm. How the new powers will be defined precisely will become clear from the formal proposal and negotiations with the European Parliament and the member states.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The European Commission wants to expand Frontex’s role in returns.
- The proposed activities could also take place outside EU territory.
- The plans still need to be worked out legally and considered politically.
- EU rules contain safeguards against returning someone to a place where they are at risk.
Left
Arguments A greater role for Frontex outside the EU could shift European responsibility to countries with less oversight. Returns should take place only after an individual assessment, with access to appeal and scrutiny by independent bodies.
Values Human rights, legal protection and international responsibility.
Consequences A broad mandate could lead to less visibility of abuses and a higher threshold for people seeking protection.
Centre
Arguments The EU needs a workable common returns policy, but powers must be clearly defined and remain subject to scrutiny. European cooperation can be more effective when accompanied by transparency and oversight.
Values Practicality, the rule of law and institutional oversight.
Consequences A carefully defined mandate could organise returns more effectively without eroding legal safeguards.
Right
Arguments Those who have no right to remain in the EU must be able to return in practice. Frontex can help countries that cannot organise the necessary capacity on their own and can make people smuggling less attractive.
Values Borders, enforcement and confidence in the migration system.
Consequences Faster returns could make the system more credible, but failed cooperation with countries of origin remains a risk.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is supported by a recent European Commission publication and independent reporting. The precise details of the new powers remain uncertain, but this is stated explicitly.
- confirmed The European Commission wants to give Frontex a greater role in returns. — This is stated in the European Commission’s October 2026 plan. source
- confirmed Frontex could also help with return operations outside the EU. — Euronews describes this proposed expansion on the basis of EU officials. source
- confirmed Five EU countries are negotiating over a first return hub. — This is reported by Euronews. source
- confirmed Returns must comply with the principle of non-refoulement. — The European Commission cites this as a legal safeguard in its returns policy. source
Editor's note
The expansion of Frontex and the proposed tasks are based on European Commission information and reporting by Euronews. The exact legal text and the limits of its powers had not yet been finalised at the time of publication.Sources
- Exclusive: EU to give Frontex new powers to deport migrants from outside Europe — Euronews
- Staying the course on migration reform — European Commission
- An effective, firm and fair EU return and readmission policy — European Commission
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „frontex migratie”
- NOS — „frontex migratie”
- Het Parool — „frontex migratie”