Frontex: proposal for 30,000 officers and a wider role in returns
The Commission proposes a quick reaction force, new coordination centres and digital procedures. Parliament and Council must agree on the legislation.
The European Commission presented a new legislative proposal to strengthen Frontex on 27 October 2026. It envisages gradually expanding the standing corps to 30,000 officers, with a new 17,000-officer European border and return reserve as part of the design.
Returns and operational support
A dedicated Return Coordination Centre would gather operational information and provide support from early identification and voluntary-return counselling through to reintegration. If the framework is approved, the agency could support returns between two non-EU countries subject to a relevant agreement, compliance with fundamental rights and international standards.
Rapid response and public online content
The proposal includes a quick reaction force, deployed following a member-state request and an executive-director decision, and an online centre monitoring publicly accessible social-media content for external-border risks. Significant border incidents would have to be reported through EUROSUR within 24 hours.
A parallel regulation proposal concerns digital case management for return, readmission and reintegration, with data-protection standards.
Both proposals require agreement by the European Parliament and the Council. They are not an already activated new force, an applicable new power or a decision on any individual return.
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