A stronger Frontex and the digitalisation of the return process

On 27 October, theEuropean Commission proposed to further strengthen Frontex, reinforcing itscapacity to protect the external borders and turning it into the EU’s centralactor for returns.

The EU hasmade significant progress on migration: illegal border crossings have more thanhalved over the past two years, and the return rate increased to now over 30percent. Yet, our common external borders are put to the test by a changedgeopolitical and security environment, requiring a stronger and more effectiveEuropean response.

Frontex already plays a critical role in supporting Member States in managing Europe’s external borders and safeguarding the Schengen area. The new rules will build on this role, by further strengthening the Agency’s mandate, enabling it to act more quickly and effectively – and making it easier for Member States to make full use of its tools and services. Key novelties include: a reinforced Standing Corps, including a new European Border and Return Reserve, a Quick Reaction Force to intervene in crisis situations, and a new Online Monitoring Centre for the early detection of potential threats to our borders. Frontex will have a dedicated Return Coordination Centre and it will now be able to help carry out returns from third countries.

Alongside the Frontex Regulation proposal, and following the entry into force of the new Return Regulation on 16 October, the Commission is proposing a new Regulation to digitalise return, readmission and reintegration procedures across the EU. The aim is to modernise the handling of return cases, simplify and speed up administrative procedures through digitalisation, reduce administrative burden, and improve data collection and sharing.

More information is available in the press release, questions and answers and factsheet.