15066 — Elements

The count of removals of illegal aliens is the subject of a breakdown which, without changing the criteria for collecting statistical data, shows three types of removals reflecting different methods of handling irregular immigration:

1. Forced returns, characterised by the taking of an expulsion decision and its enforcement by coercion, which comprise the following categories:
   • Returns of third-country nationals outside the European Union;
   • Readmission of third-country nationals to the European Union;
   • Return of EU nationals to their country.

2. Assisted removals and departures, which include the following categories:
   • Assisted removals, characterised by the implementation of a removal measure without constraint, through assistance for return;
   • Assisted voluntary departures, involving foreigners in an irregular situation who decide to leave the territory without having been the subject of a removal order, while resorting to assistance.

3. Spontaneous removals, without coercion and without help, after an expulsion measure