New EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration

Today, the Commission adopted the EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration. The strategy promotes the importance of voluntary returns and aims at increasing their share and number, while improving the quality of the support provided to returnees.

Voluntary returns are more humane, more effective and less costly than forced returns.

The new strategy proposes:

How do voluntary returns work?

The strategy identifies challenges that complicate the uptake of voluntary returns and suggests a coherent approach based on measures under seven pillars:

	Strengthening the legal and operational framework
	Facilitating effective coordination between all stakeholders
	Supporting voluntary return and reintegration of migrants located in non-EU countries
	Improving return counselling and referral practices through dedicated tools and guidance
	Promoting common quality support
	Fostering the sustainability and the ownership of reintegration in partner countries
	Using financial resources in a better coordinated manner

Next steps

The Commission, together with the High Representative, EU Member States, Frontex, EU Delegations and partner countries, alongside the wide range of stakeholders and international organisations involved, will work to implement the strategy. The Commission will also monitor the implementation of the strategy, notably in the context of the European Migration Network and in regular discussions with the European Parliament and with Member States in the Council.

For more information:

• EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration
• Commission staff working document: EU framework on return counselling and the Reintegration Assistance Tool
• Press release: New EU strategy an voluntary return and reintegration
• New EU strategy on voluntary return and reintegration: Questions and answers
• Return and readmission webpage