Publication date: 01 July 2021
This paper provides an overview of EU initiatives on developing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve border control and border security.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: artificial intelligence, border control, security
Publication date: 11 March 2013
Frontex Programme of Work 2013 outlines Frontex's areas of possible activities for the year in question, focusing inter alia on the further development of the EUROSUR system, the operational support to Greece, implementation measures and new structures.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, EUROSUR, external border
Publication date: 19 April 2012
The Annual Risk Analysis (ARA) for 2012 presents an analysis of events related to border control as well as to illegal border crossing and different forms of cross-border crime during 2011.
Read more
Main theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: Frontex
Publication date: 09 January 2012
Irregular migration is a subject of ongoing public debate in Europe. Policy makers are under pressure to reduce it and majorities often view it as a problem. Have policy interventions contributed to a decline in irregular migration? Have new hotspots of irregular entry emerged?
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: border management, detection, illegal entry
Publication date: 20 May 2011
The Annual Risk Analysis Report of EU Agency FRONTEX, in charge for the coordination of the operational cooperation between Member States in the field of border security
Read more
Main theme: Migration, Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: border control, risk analysis
Publication date:
On 12 October 2025, Belgium began implementing the European Entry-Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals travelling to Europe for short stays. Brussels Airport and Brussels-Midi station (for Eurostar passengers) have planned the necessary infrastructure and procedures to support border registration. EU and Schengen-area travellers are not affected. Full implementation across Europe is scheduled for 10 April 2026.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, Brussels Airport, border control, non-EU national, Eurostar passenger
Publication date:
In the first half of 2025, West Flanders saw 72 transit migrants intercepted, a significant decrease compared with previous years. Most were from Ethiopia, while earlier periods involved people from Sudan, Iraq and Vietnam. Authorities cite preventive policing and cross-border controls as key factors.
Read more
Main theme: Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: transit migrant, transmigrant, interception, border control
Publication date:
On 24 June 2025, EMN Belgium participated in the Polish Presidency Conference on countering irregular migration. The discussions examined this phenomenon from three perspectives: strengthening the EU’s external borders to prevent irregular entries, combating migrant smuggling to dismantle criminal networks, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and providing safe and legal alternatives.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: external border, border control, migrant smuggling, criminal network, root causes, legal pathway
Publication date:
On 4 December 2024, the European Commission released a proposal for a Regulation enabling a progressive start of operations for Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES). According to the proposal, the Member States will start registering at least ten per cent of border crossings, and by the end of the given six-month period, they will need to reach the full registration of all people.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, start of operations, external border, border control
Publication date:
France notified that controls would take place at its borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, the Swiss Confederation, Italy, and Spain (land, air, and sea) from 1 November 2024 until 30 April 2024. Similar checks were already underway between 1 May 2024 and 31 October 2024 due to the Olympic and Paralympic Games organised in France during the summer 2024.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, internal border control, border control, border check
Publication date:
On 21 October 2024, the European Ombudsman closed her inquiry on respect for human rights in the context of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). She concluded, inter alia, that the Commission should set out the criteria on which the suspension of contracts due to violations of human rights in the implementation of EU-funded projects in Tunisia would be based. These criteria should be made public.
Read more
Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: memorandum of understanding, Tunisia, human rights, border management, border control
Publication date:
During the European Council on 17 October 2024, EU leaders adopted conclusions, among other things, on migration. They called, inter alia, for determined action to facilitate, increase, and speed up returns from the EU. They invited the European Commission to submit a new legislative proposal, as a matter of urgency.
Read more
Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: return directive, external action, external border, border control, migration instrumentalization
Publication date:
Checks are being temporarily reintroduced at Germany's borders with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark. They will run from 16 September 2024 until 15 March 2025 to, among other things, reduce irregular migration and combat people smuggling.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border check, Schengen, internal border control
Publication date:
During the last Justice and Home Affairs Council under the Belgian Presidency, Ministers agreed to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainians for one year. This will run until March 2026.
Read more
Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: temporary protection, Ukraine, visa policy, Schengen, border control, interoperability
Publication date:
On 2 May 2024, the Chamber of Representatives adopted in plenary session the draft law relating to the competencies of the members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the national territory. The law inter alia defines how Frontex members will support the Federal Police in the field of border controls and forced return of foreigners.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex, border control, forced return, escort
Publication date:
On a proposal from Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, the Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft law defining the powers that members of the European Border and Coast Guard would have on national territory during official missions.
Read more
Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex, border control, forced return, escort
Publication date:
The Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU and European Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional deal on amending the Schengen Borders Code. The update in particular clears up rules related to the reintroduction of border controls and offers solutions to situations where migrants are instrumentalised.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, Schengen borders code, migration instrumentalization, border control
Publication date:
Today, the Commission adopted a Communication that presents the strategic framework for European integrated border management (EIBM) for 5 years and a Recommendation to Member States on the mutual recognition of return decisions and expediting returns.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European integrated border management, return decision, border control, fundamental rights
Publication date:
The 2nd European Border Managament Conference was held in Athens on 23 and 24 February 2023. Participating Member States inter alia underlined the importance of effective control of EU's external borders and required legal, financial, operational and technical measures as well as a whole-of-the-route approach to ensure this.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border management
Publication date:
Today is the opening of a photo exhibition focusing on Melilla, Europe's Southern border. This exhibition is the outcome of a one year and a half project initiated by four youths graduated in journalism.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: photo, Melilla, border control
Publication date:
During this workshop, day-to-day making and unmaking of borders will be investigated from the perspective of history, policy making, surveillance and control, contestation and human agency.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border control, border surveillance, immigration detention
Publication date:
On 4 September 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a case-law concerning the interpretation of the Regulations establishing the Schengen Borders Code (2006) and the Visa Code (2009)
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: Court of Justice of the European Union, border check, entry condition, visa affixed to travel document
Publication date:
The International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) organizes a two-day symposium on key policy issues of the common European border security
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: arab spring, border control, border security, Frontex
Publication date:
The Frontex Risk Analysis Network (FRAN) released its newest quarterly report, covering January - March 2011