Irregular border crossings into the European Union have decreased considerably.

Omissions

• The decline is measured against the record-high levels of 2023–2024, so the 'considerable' fall partly reflects comparison with an exceptionally elevated baseline.
• Frontex notes the downward trend is not monotonic: detections in September 2026 were 11% higher than in August 2026, and the agency warns that migration pressure remains uncertain and Europe must stay prepared.
• The speech also asserts that the Migration and Asylum Pact is 'now fully applicable'; this is a separate legal/political assertion not verified by border-crossing statistics.

Sources

• PrimaryFrontex — Irregular border crossings into the EU down 1/3 in the first nine months of 2026The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union continued to fall in the first nine months of 2026, with detections down by one third; in September alone, some 14,300 crossings were detected, 28% fewer than in September 2025, although 11% more than in August.
• PrimaryFrontex — Irregular border crossings down 26% in 2025Irregular border crossings down 26% in 2025, Europe must stay prepared. The decrease is a significant development, yet Frontex warns that the situation at Europe's borders remains uncertain.
• PrimaryFrontex — Irregular border crossings into the EU down 37% in the first half of 2026The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union continued to fall in the first six months of 2026, with detections down by 37%.