EU Strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration Crafting a Road Map to Better Cooperation with Migrants’ Countries of Origin

This policy brief addresses the challenges of returning and reintegrating irregular migrants and denied asylum seekers, highlighting the low return rate as a threat to the credibility of EU migration and asylum systems. It focuses on increasing voluntary returns, which are more humane and less costly than forced returns, aiming to make the return process more dignified and supportive for migrants. Key measures include improving voluntary return mechanisms, enhancing counselling on legal options, and strengthening coordination between EU Member States. The strategy emphasizes cooperation with migrants’ countries of origin to improve reintegration programming, streamline return travel, and support returnees and their communities.

This strategy is a step forward in creating a common EU system for returns, aligning with the European Commission’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum. It seeks to balance the objectives of increasing returns with the needs and priorities of origin countries, aiming for sustainable reintegration and stronger migration partnerships.