According to data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, Algerians were the top nationality subject to return orders (deportation orders) in the EU during the first quarter of 2026. The data, published on June 30, 2026, shows that 11,105 return orders were issued to Algerian nationals, significantly ahead of Moroccans, who were second.
For the full year 2025, Eurostat recorded 45,725 return orders for Algerian nationals, also the highest among all nationalities. These figures are part of the EU's broader migration enforcement statistics, which track the application of immigration laws across the 27 member states.
The data highlights the ongoing challenges in EU-Algeria migration relations. Return orders, also known as OQTF (Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Français) in France, are legal orders requiring non-EU nationals to leave the Schengen area. However, the actual return rate remains low, as many orders are not enforced due to diplomatic or logistical hurdles.
Eurostat's report does not specify the breakdown by country, but France and Italy are known to be the primary issuers of such orders to Algerian nationals. The figures come amid ongoing discussions in the EU about migration policy and cooperation with North African countries.
