Preparations begin for national implementation of EU Return Regulation

The Ministry of the Interior has launched a project to prepare the legislative amendments required for the national implementation of the EU Return Regulation.

The project will prepare the national legislative amendments needed to implement certain provisions of the EU Return Regulation, making use of the national discretion available under the regulation.

The legislative project will tighten provisions relating to entry bans and detention within the scope of national discretion. For example, it will extend the maximum period of detention during the return process to the maximum length permitted under the Return Regulation and increase the maximum duration of a fixed-term entry ban from 15 years to 20 years.

As the current government term is nearing its end, the project is operating on a tight timetable. However, it aims to prepare the key legislative amendments within the scope of national discretion and the available timeframe.

Implementation will begin in autumn 2026, on the day after the regulation enters into force, when certain provisions will start to apply. Most provisions, however, will apply from autumn 2027, one year after the regulation enters into force.

Return Regulation to make returns of persons staying illegally in the EU more effective

The EU Return Regulation establishes a Common European System for Returns, complementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum and supporting its effective implementation. The regulation will make the return of persons staying illegally in the EU more effective and provide authorities with additional tools to manage the return process.

The regulation allows for the establishment of return hubs in third countries on the basis of an agreement or arrangement. The provisions concerning return hubs will begin to apply in autumn 2026 without the need for national implementing measures. The aim is to make returns more effective particularly in the case of persons who pose security risks, including those who have committed serious offences.

The project will run from 3 July 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Government intends to submit its proposal to Parliament during the 2026 autumn session. The legislative amendments are expected to enter into force in autumn 2027, when the Return Regulation will begin to apply in full.

Finland works together with the Nordic countries and other partners to promote returns

In line with the Government Programme, Finland's asylum system has been made more efficient and its quality has been improved. Rejected asylum applicants will return or be returned to their countries of origin as soon as possible.

Finland promotes innovative migration solutions that facilitate efforts to combat illegal entry and people smuggling outside the EU, improve the EU asylum and return system, and enable people staying illegally in the EU to return or be returned to their countries of origin. The establishment of return hubs outside the EU is one such solution.

Finland will continue to advocate for the EU or Member States to develop common return hubs in safe third countries. A person staying illegally in the EU could be transferred to a return hub to wait until they can be returned to their country of origin. Finland is working together with the Nordic countries and other partners to promote this approach.

Finland also supports measures to promote return and reintegration from third countries to countries of origin.

Inquiries:
Minna Hulkkonen, Director General, Migration Department, tel. +358 295 488 600, [email protected]
Emma Rimmanen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 325, [email protected] (from 4 August)