Overview
- The European Parliament voted 418–218 with 30 abstentions on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to adopt the Return Regulation that replaces the EU return directive with directly applicable rules.
- The regulation allows member states to transfer people subject to return decisions to ‘return hubs’ in third countries under bilateral agreements and excludes unaccompanied minors from such transfers.
- Authorities may detain people pending removal for up to 24 months with a possible six‑month extension, and the text permits investigative measures such as searches and seizure of devices to prepare returns.
- Appeals against return decisions will no longer have an automatic suspensive effect, meaning expulsions can proceed while cases are contested in court, and some provisions take effect immediately once the Council formally adopts and the law is published.
- Italy has fast‑tracked matching domestic measures — its Chamber approved a decree on assisted voluntary returns on June 16 — and political coverage splits sharply with right‑leaning outlets and Italy’s government celebrating the outcome while opposition parties, UN experts and rights groups warn of rights gaps, costs and practical limits tied to third‑country cooperation.