Glossary
The EMN Glossary – as one of the key products of the EMN - improves comparability by enabling a common understanding and use of terms and definitions relating to asylum and migration. The Glossary draws on a variety of sources, but primarily on the legislation of the EU asylum and immigration acquis, and makes terms available in the majority of EU Member State languages.
The online version is regularly updated and available in various languages.
- BG: принудително връщане
- CZ: nucený návrat
- DE: zwangsweise Rückführung / Zwangsrückführung / erzwungene Rückkehr
- EE: sunnitud tagasipöördumine
- EN: compulsory return
- ES: retorno forzoso
- FI: pakkopalautus / pakkoon perustuva paluu
- FR: obligation de retour
- GA: filleadh éigeantach
- GR: αναγκαστική επιστροφή
- HU: kötelező visszatérés
- IT: ritorno obbligato
- LT: priverstinis grąžinimas
- LV: piespiedu atgriešana (EU acquis) / piespiedu izraidīšana (national)
- MT: Ritorn obbligatorju // Ripatrijazzjoni obbligatorja
- NL: gedwongen terugkeer
- NO: tvangsretur
- PL: przymusowy powrót
- RO: returnare (fortata)/returnare sub escortă
- SE: tvångsmässigt återvändande
- SK: nútený návrat
- SL: obvezno vračanje
Definition
In the global context, obligatory return of an individual to the country of origin, transit or third country (i.e. country of return), on the basis of an administrative or judicial act.
In the EU context, the process of going back – whether in voluntary or enforced compliance with an obligation to return– to:
In the EU context, the process of going back – whether in voluntary or enforced compliance with an obligation to return– to:
- one's country of origin; or
- a country of transit in accordance with EU or bilateral readmission agreements or other arrangements; or
- another third country, to which the third-country national concerned voluntarily decides to return and in which they will be accepted.
Synonyms
forced return, refoulement
Broader
return
Narrower
removal, voluntary departure
Related
refoulement, Voluntary return
Comments
1. Compulsory return is understood as return which occurs once a return decision has been issued. Art. 3(3) of Directive 2008/115 (Return Decision) calls this ‘return’ (not ‘compulsory return’) but so as to avoid confusion with the return of migrants based on their free will and without any direction from the State, we have named ‘return’ when occurring in compliance with a return decision, ‘compulsory return’.
2. Outside of EU legislation the term ‘forced return’ is more commonly used and understood as a synonym with ‘compulsory return’ – i.e. return which occurs in compliance with a return decision.
2. Outside of EU legislation the term ‘forced return’ is more commonly used and understood as a synonym with ‘compulsory return’ – i.e. return which occurs in compliance with a return decision.