EU proposes expanding Frontex to 30,000 officers and speeding up returns of irregular migrants

The European Commission on Tuesday, 27 October, proposed expanding the powers of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to improve controls at the European Union’s external borders and speed up the return of people who do not have the right to remain in the EU.

The proposal would increase Frontex’s available personnel to 30,000, create a rapid-response force to deal with migration emergencies and introduce new technological tools to detect potential threats at the borders.

Alongside these measures, the European Commission has proposed a new regulation to digitise procedures for the return, readmission and reintegration of irregular migrants. It aims to cut red tape and improve coordination between member states.

The measures form part of Brussels’ strategy to strengthen the management of irregular migration and security at the EU’s external borders, particularly after migration crises in several parts of the bloc in recent months.

Frontex could have up to 30,000 officers to manage Europe’s borders

One of the main changes proposed is to expand Frontex’s operational capacity to 30,000 personnel by creating a European border and return reserve of 17,000 officers.

These officers would be available to member states and could be deployed on their territory when circumstances require, particularly during large-scale migrant arrivals or periods of exceptional migratory pressure.

Brussels wants the EU agency to be able to intervene more quickly and effectively, without relying solely on the resources each national administration can mobilise at a given time.

Europe will always stand up for the protection of its borders. This is why today we propose to strengthen Frontex. So it can support Member States whenever and wherever needed. Including on returns, with the mandate and capabilities that this new reality demands. https://t.co/o4xw4YZwwW

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 27, 2026

The proposal also provides for a rapid-response force specialising in migration crises, as well as the deployment of permanent contingents at borders considered especially sensitive.

Despite this expansion of EU powers, the Commission said member states would remain primarily responsible for protecting their borders and carrying out return decisions.

Artificial intelligence and digital surveillance to detect threats

The proposal also envisages modernising Frontex’s technology, potentially giving the agency a central role in acquiring advanced surveillance equipment and digital tools.

Among the announced measures is the creation of an Online Surveillance Centre to identify potential threats to the EU’s external borders and improve early detection of risks.

The centre would strengthen information-sharing between member states and help coordinate responses to large-scale arrivals.

Frontex could also act as a central procurement body for technological equipment, particularly tools based on artificial intelligence and digital surveillance systems.

Brussels says these capabilities are increasingly necessary as migration routes evolve and new forms of pressure emerge at Europe’s borders.

EU wants to speed up returns of migrants without the right to stay

The European Commission’s other major initiative concerns administrative procedures for returning people who do not have permission to remain in the EU to their countries of origin.

Brussels proposes digitising return, readmission and reintegration procedures, replacing some of the current paperwork with electronic systems shared among member-state administrations.

The proposed regulation would create a single digital interface to manage these procedures and improve the collection, processing and exchange of data.

The Commission says this change should reduce administrative burdens and make it easier to carry out return decisions while respecting the applicable legal safeguards.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner argued that the EU’s return system needs to become more effective.

“Particularly when it comes to returns, we can and must do better at repatriating those who have no right to stay in the EU. That is why today we are proposing that Frontex become the European Union’s central hub for this work,” Brunner said at a press conference in Brussels.

The Commission also proposes setting up a Return Coordination Centre to support the planning and organisation of repatriation operations.

The expanded role would involve closer cooperation with non-EU countries to facilitate the readmission of their citizens and organise joint operations, with a commitment to respecting fundamental rights and international standards.

Ceuta migration crises prompt Brussels to act

The initiatives follow several episodes of migratory pressure at the EU’s external borders, particularly in Ceuta.

In July, the Spanish autonomous city saw a large-scale arrival of migrants, prompting political tensions and reopening the European debate over the capacity to respond to such situations.

The Commission says the experience of these crises has shown the need for faster intervention mechanisms, early-warning systems and closer operational coordination between member states.

The Spanish government had also called on Brussels to make legislative changes to speed up return and asylum procedures during migration emergencies.

The proposal presented on Tuesday aims to address these demands by expanding Europe’s ability to mobilise personnel and technological resources, as well as by introducing new administrative tools.

European Parliament and member states must approve the measures

Despite the European Commission’s announcement, Frontex’s proposed new powers and the regulation to digitise returns have not yet come into force.

The proposals must now go through the EU legislative process, which requires agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The number of personnel, intervention mechanisms, operational powers and safeguards for return procedures could all be amended during negotiations.