The study gives an overview of the EU Member States' experience in organising and practically implementing assisted voluntary return programmes. The study aims at summarising the experience of the EU Member States referring to the principles of historical and structural analysis. The survey first defines the general concept of voluntary return and models of assistance and attempts to answer the question why states support voluntary return of migrants. The most substantial arguments are formulated when voluntary return is put in contrast to expulsion of an immigrant as an alternative solution. The advantages of voluntary return are discussed in the context of humanity, effectiveness and institutional cooperation and EU international migration policy.