Irregular migration to the European Union declined on most major migratory routes in the first nine months of 2026, although crossings along the Western Mediterranean route increased by 26 per cent, according to figures released by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Data covering January to September 2026 showed that the Eastern Mediterranean route recorded the highest number of irregular border crossings, with 31,803 detections, representing a 15 per cent decrease compared with the same period in 2025.

The Central Mediterranean route followed with 22,511 detections, marking a 56 per cent decline, while the Western Mediterranean route recorded 18,260 crossings, an increase of 26 per cent.

The Western African route registered 7,106 crossings, down 45 per cent, while the Western Balkans recorded 6,687, representing a 27 per cent decrease.

Meanwhile, detections along the Eastern Land Border fell by 51 per cent to 4,498.

Exits towards the United Kingdom also declined, with 30,944 detections recorded during the nine-month period, a 43 per cent decrease compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

September figures

In September alone, the Eastern Mediterranean route recorded 4,772 irregular crossings, the highest among the routes monitored by Frontex.

The Western Mediterranean followed with 3,067 crossings, while the Central Mediterranean recorded 2,877.

The Western African route registered 1,939 crossings, compared with 1,079 along the Western Balkans and 584 at the Eastern Land Border.

Meanwhile, 4,536 exits towards the United Kingdom were recorded during the month.

Top nationalities

Sudanese, Bangladeshi and Afghan nationals were the leading nationalities detected along the Eastern Mediterranean route during the first nine months of 2026.

Bangladeshis, Algerians and Somalis topped the list along the Central Mediterranean route, while Algerians, Malians and Moroccans were the most frequently detected nationalities along the Western Mediterranean route.

On the Western African route, the leading nationalities were Moroccans, Senegalese and Gambians.

Turkish, Afghan and Egyptian nationals were the most frequently detected along the Western Balkans route, while Ukrainians, Afghans and Russians topped the list at the Eastern Land Border.

For exits towards the United Kingdom, Eritreans, Sudanese and Somalis were the leading nationalities.

The figures highlight the varying migration trends across Europe’s external borders, with most routes recording substantial declines while the Western Mediterranean experienced an increase during the period under review.