Illegal crossings of European Union borders fell by 37% from the beginning of the year through the end of July compared with the same period last year, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) said, citing preliminary data available to the agency.
During the seven-month period under review, around 61,000 cases of illegal border crossings were recorded at the EU’s external borders, excluding the incident at the end of July in Ceuta, when tens of thousands of migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco.
Frontex data show that the highest level of activity was recorded on the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Mediterranean routes. The largest decline was registered on the West African route, while the only increase occurred on the Western Mediterranean route.
On the Western Balkan route, the number of illegal border crossings fell by 26%, to 4,910, according to Frontex data.
The decline in the number of departures towards Europe is the result of several factors, including continued EU cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures in key countries of departure, the agency said.
Frontex has deployed around 3,800 officers at the EU’s external borders to support national authorities in managing Europe’s borders and saving lives at sea.
Frontex officers will continue to support EU member states in implementing the new rules under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the agency said, Beta reports.
Source: Politika, 17.08.2026