Georgians Rank Second in EU Returns in 2025, Eurostat Data Shows

According to the latest data published by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistics agency, 10,475 Georgian citizens were returned from the EU in 2025. This figure places Georgians as the second-largest group of third-country nationals returned from the bloc, trailing only Turkish citizens, who accounted for 13,405 returns. Under Eurostat methodology, a return involves non-EU citizens staying illegally who officially leave EU territory. Overall, the EU recorded 135,460 returns in 2025, marking the highest level since 2020. Other significant groups included Syrians, Albanians, and Russians. Notably, Georgia had ranked first in returns during the previous two years, with 12,050 in 2024 and 10,360 in 2023. Additionally, Georgian citizens ranked seventh in entry refusals at EU external borders, with 4,785 recorded instances, primarily at air borders. Across the EU, entry refusals rose by 7.1% to 132,600, while the number of illegally present third-country nationals decreased by 21.7% to 719,395. Germany and France accounted for the largest shares of illegal presence cases. This statistical release highlights shifting migration enforcement trends and specific challenges facing Georgian nationals within the Schengen area.