Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/0059(COD)
Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation)
Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD): Parliament and the Council decide together as equals. · First reading
A proposed EU law. Parliament and the Council must agree on the same text: Parliament adopts its position, then negotiates with the Council.
Where it stands
Plenary vote
Parliament approved the text agreed with the Council on 17 June 2026. The Council must now adopt it formally before it is published as law.
- Referred to committee(done) 16 June 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 9 March 2026
- Tabled for plenary(done) 10 March 2026
- Negotiations with the Council(done) Deal approved in committee 15 June 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 17 June 2026
- Published as law(to come)
Decided in plenary
17 June 2026 · decision 2
Migration & asylum, New EU law
Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation)
Passed 418 for · 218 against · 30 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The law replaces existing directives and aims to make return procedures simpler, faster, and more effective across member states.
26 March 2026 · decision 1
Migration & asylum, New EU law
Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation)
Negotiating mandate approved On the decision to open negotiations with the Council: 389 for · 206 against · 32 abstained
AI summary:The law would replace existing EU rules on returns and introduce a single procedure for return and readmission across member states.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Malik Azmani (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Marieke Ehlers (Patriots), Charlie Weimers (ECR), Mélissa Camara (Greens), Estrella Galán (The Left), Mary Khan (ESN)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Tabled for plenary· 10 Mar 2026
AI summary:Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation establishes a common EU system for returning third-country nationals staying illegally, replacing the 2008 Return Directive and related acts.
Committee draft· 30 Oct 2025
AI summary:The draft report proposes amendments to the Commission's regulation establishing a common EU return system for illegally staying third-country nationals, replacing the 2008 Return Directive. It prioritises voluntary return, makes mutual recognition of return decisions mandatory after one year, and strengthens fundamental rights safeguards.
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 2 steps
17 June 2026
Plenary vote
16 June 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
Sitting of 16 Jun 2026 Council / Commission text C10-0047/2025Report A10-0048/2026
Negotiations with the Council 1 step
15 June 2026
Committee approved the deal reached with the Council
The provisional agreement from the trilogues goes to the whole Parliament for a vote.
Plenary stage 1 step
15 June 2026
4 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
Negotiations with the Council 5 steps
1 June 2026
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
20 May 2026
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
22 April 2026
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
26 March 2026
Trilogue meeting
Negotiation between Parliament, Council and Commission on a common text.
26 March 2026
Plenary endorsed the mandate to negotiate with the Council
Parliament’s negotiators can now seek a compromise text with the Council (in “trilogues”).
Plenary stage 2 steps
26 March 2026
Plenary vote
10 March 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
9 March 2026
Committee vote: report adopted
LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
1 December 2025
Amendments tabled in committee (7 batches)
Members of LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)Amendments in committee (LIBE)
30 October 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
16 June 2025
Referred to the LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/0059(COD)