Irregular Migration by Egyptians to Europe Falls 67% in 2026

Irregular migration by Egyptians to Europe fell 67% in the first half of 2026, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also said no boats carrying irregular migrants had departed directly from Egyptian shores for Europe in a decade. The ministry attributed the decline to measures targeting migrant smuggling and human trafficking alongside efforts to expand regular migration and employment pathways.

Seven labour programmes have been launched to move trained Egyptian workers to European markets, including Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Romania, with seasonal agricultural pathways in Greece and Cyprus. Egypt has also signed broader migration-cooperation agreements with France and Britain and explored further arrangements with Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

The ministry put migration-related financing secured or agreed with international partners, including the European Union, at USD 556 million. Of that, USD 232 million is allocated to migration governance, USD 155.3 million to combating irregular migration, smuggling and human trafficking, USD 154.7 million to the national asylum system and support for migrants and refugees, and USD 14 million to labour mobility programmes.

Egypt has also continued developing its national asylum framework and expanding training linked to overseas labour demand. The ministry said hosting refugees and migrants within local communities has increased pressure on public services amid declining international funding, while calling for greater financial and technical support for host countries.

Frontex data has continued to list Egyptians among nationalities detected on Mediterranean migration routes, with Libya remaining an important departure point on the Central Mediterranean route.