Greece: Quarterly Mixed Migration Update: Europe, Quarter 1, 2026

Countries: Greece, Italy, Spain, World Source: Mixed Migration Centre Please refer to the attached file. The core countries of focus are Spain, Italy, Greece and countries along the Balkan migration route. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to any of the countries over the rest. Key Updates Irregular migration falls in the first months of the year: According to preliminary Frontex data, the overall number of arrivals in January and February 2026 fell by 52% compared to the same period in 2025. Almost all routes saw significant reductions, including the Western Balkans (-38%), the Atlantic route (-83%), the Eastern Mediterranean route (-50%), the Eastern Land Border (-80%) and the Central Mediterranean(-50%), with only the Western Mediterranean route showing a modest increase (+9%). The Mediterranean is on course to record one of its deadliest years since IOM began collecting data in 2014. At least 990 deaths have been recorded across the Mediterranean in the first months of 2026, with around 765 fatalities on the Central Mediterranean route alone – more than 460 more than during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of over 150 percent. IOM has warned that search and rescue capacity remains insufficient and has called for expanded legal migration pathways to reduce reliance on dangerous crossings Major overhaul of EU migration policy continues: at the end of January the EU announced its five-year strategy on migration, framed as a “ new chapter ” that will bring down the number of undocumented arrivals further through a range of restrictive measures including increased deportations and “return hubs”, revision of the “safe countries” classification and proposed crackdowns on undocumented migrants. Spain announces mass regularisation of undocumented migrants: In late January, Spain formally announced the first mass regularisation programme of its kind in more than 20 years, a move that will benefit at least half a million undocumented migrants, though some estimates the total could be double this. The threat of landmines at the Eastern Border: In the wake of Poland’s withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, the government announced that it would imminently mine its eastern borders in anticipation of a possible Russian attack, elevating the risks of death and injury for refugees and migrants. Tunisia demands reworking of its agreement with EU: Tunisia, in the latest development in its troubled relationship with the EU, has called for the terms of their partnership to be revised to be “ more balanced, fair, and equitable ”, particularly in relation to migration management. Switzerland plans refererendum on controversial migration cap: In February, a proposal by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to have a referendum on whether to impose a 10-million population cap by 2050 in Switzerland garnered enough signatures to go to referendum in June, despite strong opposition from the government itself.

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