The latest data from Eurostat reveals that Albanians continue to face significant challenges with migration within the European Union. In the second quarter of 2025, 1,945 Albanian citizens were returned from EU member states to third countries, placing Albania in third position after Georgia and Turkey in the EU’s returns ranking.
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| Feet of Albanian immigrants are seen walking on the sidewalk |
Albanian Returns on the Rise
Compared to the first quarter of 2025, returns of Albanian nationals increased by 4.1%, highlighting a growing trend of refusals and forced returns from EU countries. Despite longstanding ties between Albania and the EU, including visa-free travel for short stays, the figures underscore the persistent difficulties many Albanians face when seeking to remain within the European Union.
In this period, only Georgian and Turkish nationals recorded higher return numbers. Georgians topped the list with 2,460 returns, while Turks followed with 2,020. Albanians came third with 1,945, ahead of Moldovans (1,210) and Syrians (1,140).
EU-Wide Migration Picture
Across the European Union as a whole, the figures are even more striking. In Q2 2025:
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116,495 non-EU citizens were ordered to leave the EU.
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28,355 people were actually returned to third countries following such orders.
This represents a year-on-year increase: compared to Q2 2024, the number of people ordered to leave rose by 3.6%, while the number of those returned grew by a substantial 12.7%.
However, on a quarterly basis, the number of expulsion orders actually fell by 6.3%, while returns declined slightly by 0.8% compared to Q1 2025.
Who Is Being Ordered to Leave?
The highest numbers of expulsion orders in Q2 2025 were issued against:
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Algerian citizens (9,805)
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Moroccan citizens (7,085)
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Turkish citizens (6,310)
This data suggests that North African and Turkish nationals, alongside Albanians, remain among the most affected by EU enforcement measures against irregular migration.
Which EU States Lead in Deportations?
When breaking down the numbers by EU member states, three countries stand out as responsible for the majority of expulsion orders and returns:
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France: 34,760 expulsion orders, the highest among EU states.
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Spain: 14,545 orders.
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Germany: 14,095 orders.
Similarly, these countries also led in actual returns to third countries:
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France: 3,685 returns.
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Germany: 3,445 returns.
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Sweden: 2,865 returns.
This reflects both the scale of irregular migration into these countries and the strict enforcement of migration policies.
Why Albanians Rank So High
Albania’s consistent presence among the top three nationalities facing returns raises important questions. The visa-free travel regime, granted by the EU in 2010, allows Albanians to visit the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days. However, many overstays, attempts to work without permits, and asylum applications with low recognition rates have led to increased scrutiny by EU authorities.
The rise in Albanian returns suggests that EU member states are stepping up enforcement against overstayers and irregular workers. While many Albanians seek better economic opportunities abroad, stricter EU controls and tighter labor markets make it difficult for them to remain legally without proper documentation.
Broader Implications
The figures highlight the broader challenge facing the European Union as it grapples with migration management. The combination of geopolitical instability, economic migration, and labor shortages is forcing EU institutions and member states to walk a fine line between enforcement and flexibility.
For Albania, the statistics serve as both a warning and an opportunity. On the one hand, the rising number of returns reflects the limited avenues available for Albanian citizens seeking long-term residence or work in EU countries. On the other hand, Albania’s steady economic growth and improving labor market may gradually reduce the push factors driving irregular migration.
The Road Ahead
EU member states are likely to maintain strict migration enforcement policies, especially as political debates over migration intensify ahead of upcoming European elections. For Albanians, the data underscores the importance of legal pathways for migration and the need for closer alignment between Albania’s labor force policies and EU labor market demands.
Ultimately, while Albanians remain among the most affected nationalities in terms of returns, long-term solutions will depend on both domestic opportunities in Albania and new agreements with EU states that can provide safe and legal migration routes.