Latest figures for returns of foreign nationals

Returnees and returns

The Danish Return Agency continuously compiles statistics on the work of returning foreign nationals with no legal residence in Denmark.

With the immigration authorities’ decisions and decisions of expulsion by judgment as a basis, the Danish Return Agency effects returns of foreign nationals who have no legal residence in Denmark and have not voluntarily left the country in accordance with their duty to do so. As a public authority, the Danish Return Agency has an obligation to effect such returns.

The statistical data include information about returnee rejected asylum seekers and an overview of the number of returned foreign nationals with no leave to stay.

The statistics are updated on the 20th of every month and contain statistical information dating back to January 2021, until now in Danish.

How to read the return statistics

Reservations

It should be noted that this status on the return of foreign nationals from Denmark is based on extracts from the Danish Return Agency’s case management system (Public 360).

As such, the calculations are subject to some uncertainty as Public 360 is a record and case management system and not a statistical system proper. Nor are the figures final, which means later adjustments may be registered.

Current returnee foreign nationals with no leave to stay

A foreign national with no leave to stay in Denmark whose departure deadline has expired and who has not been granted a procedural stay owing to other pending cases with the immigration authorities is a returnee. The time limit for the departure of a person expelled by judgment who has served a sentence is normally calculated from the time of the person’s release, which often happens in connection with the return itself. The foreign national has a duty to cooperate on preparing their return, for example, by obtaining the travel documents required from authorities in the home country.

If the foreign national does not cooperate on their return, the authorities may detain the person, or, if there is no basis for detention, initiate various measures intended to expedite the return, including motivating the foreign national to return or cooperate. Motivational measures include the residence duty, transfer to a return centre and the reporting duty.

Types of return

When a foreign national has no leave to stay in Denmark, a time limit for the person’s departure from the country is generally determined. The Danish Return Agency facilitates the return of rejected asylum seekers and other returnees in accordance with their duty in this respect. The Danish Return Agency can ask the police to assist with returns.

Accompanied return

Accompanied return refers to cases in which Danish Return Agency staff and the police accompany the foreign national out of the country – typically by plane – either all the way to the home country or to a transit destination. The return will typically be forcible, but may also be voluntary, with the airline, a transit country or the receiving country requesting an escort because the foreign national is particularly vulnerable and needs such escort.

Monitored return

Monitored return refers to cases where Danish Return Agency staff – and, if the foreign national has been detained until the return, the police as well – monitor the departure from Denmark, for example, boarding the plane or ship. Monitored returns of foreign nationals with no leave to stay can be both voluntary and forcible.

Departure of own accord

The term refers to cases where reliable information that the foreign national has left the country has been procured.