Overview
The policy context concerns the legislative file 2025/0059(COD), titled ‘Common system for returning illegally staying third-country nationals’ (Return Directive). The procedure is ongoing and currently at the European Parliament’s first reading stage, awaiting a committee decision. The analysis is based on the consolidated summary of amendments (EP document LIBE-AM-781175_EN), which details the political divisions and substantive proposals within the Parliament. The proposed amendments reveal a fundamental divide over the future of EU return policy, centering on the balance between effective migration management and the protection of fundamental rights. The most contested aspects are the conditions for returning individuals to third countries, particularly under Article 17 of the proposal, and the level of procedural and substantive safeguards for minors and vulnerable persons.
Legislative timeline
The legislative procedure began with the referral to the European Parliament’s committee on 16 June 2025. A key milestone was reached on 30 October 2025, when the committee report was tabled. This was followed by the tabling of committee amendments on 1 December 2025. The most recent procedural events noted are from 9 March 2026, relating to the establishment of the common return system.
Institutional handling
The lead committee in the European Parliament is the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Within the European Commission, the responsible department is the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (HOME), under Commissioner Magnus Brunner. In the Council of the EU, the file is handled by the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) configuration.
Stakeholder reactions
Stakeholder engagement with policymakers on this file has been substantial, with 112 documented meetings held with Members of the European Parliament. These involved 89 distinct organisations. The most active entities in this outreach were the Danish Refugee Council Brussels, the Permanent Representation of France to the EU, Frontex, the UNHCR, and the IOM.
Media coverage
Media reporting has touched on developments related to the returns policy. One article notes that Greece, along with Austria and four other EU countries, is pushing to create migrant return centers based in Africa in anticipation of a new EU repatriation rule. Another article, outlining the LIBE committee’s agenda, mentions that upcoming work includes a returns policy, with presentations planned by EU officials.
- European Parliament legislative resolution of 17 June 2026 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Plenary · Consolidated amended · 2026-06-17
- Amendment - Javier Zarzalejos - Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation) open ›
Plenary · Consolidated amended · 2026-06-15
- REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Plenary · Two columns split · 2026-06-15
- REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Plenary · Two columns split · 2026-06-15
- Amendment 001-001 - Malik Azmani - Report A10-0048/2026 - Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation) open ›
Plenary · Consolidated amended · 2026-06-12
- REGULATORY SCRUTINY BOARD OPINION Impact assessment on Clean Corporate Vehicles open ›
AVIATION, CODEC, ENER, CLIMA, IA, ECOFIN, COMPET, ENV, TRANS, IND, MAR · Non-legal · 2025-12-18
- AMENDMENTS 2016 - 2375 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 2376 - 2409 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 1606 - 2015 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 1206 - 1605 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 826 - 1205 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 481 - 825 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- AMENDMENTS 200 - 480 - Draft report Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-12-01
- DRAFT REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2025-10-30
- Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC (COM(2025) 101 final - 2025/0059(COD)) - Draft opinion of the European Committee of the Regions open ›
MIGR, JAI, CODEC, COMIX, RELEX · 2025-05-11
- Terrorism Working Party (TWP) Working Party on Terrorism (International Aspects, COTER) open ›
COTER, CT, JAI, ENFOPOL · 2025-04-11
- Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic - General approach open ›
CODEC, CLIMA, ENV, COMPET, TRANS · Unknown · 2025-03-12
- Financial Counsellors Working Party Meeting open ›
ECOFIN · Unknown · 2025-03-12
- Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC open ›
HOME · unknown · 2025-03-11