Frontex announced on January 1 that in 2025 there were 178,000 illegal entries into Europe.
92% confidence
MigrationEuropean Union
Omissions
The actual Frontex announcement was published on January 15, 2026, not January 1, 2026 as claimed.
Frontex uses the term 'irregular border crossings' rather than 'illegal entries' - these are related but distinct concepts in migration statistics.
The 178,000 figure represents a 26% decrease from 2024 and is the lowest number since 2021, which provides important context about the downward trend.
Sources
PrimaryFrontex - European Border and Coast Guard AgencyIn 2025, the number of irregular border crossings at the European Union's external borders reached a total of just over 178 000, a 26% decrease from 2024
PrimaryFrontex - InBrief 2025In 2025, the number of irregular border crossings at the European Union's external borders reached a total of just over 178 000
SecondaryAgence Europe178,000 irregular border crossings recorded in 2025, lowest number since 2021, representing a 26% fall