France and the United Kingdom are in negotiations over ending the “one in, one out” migration agreement, which allows Britain to return some migrants who arrive via small boats across the English Channel back to France. Paris is currently discussing the potential terms of the deal’s termination with London.
Agreement intended to limit Channel crossings
The mechanism was introduced in 2025 with the aim of deterring people from making dangerous small boat journeys from France’s coast to Britain.
Under the reciprocal arrangement, Britain could send certain individuals who arrived on small boats back to France, as long as specific conditions were met. In exchange, the United Kingdom agreed to take in an equal number of eligible asylum seekers from France who have family ties in Britain.
The agreement established detailed rules. For instance, Britain was required to return individuals within 14 days of arrival, and France was not obligated to accept unaccompanied minors or anyone considered a security threat.
Paris seeks to withdraw from the deal
The French Ministry of the Interior confirmed that it is talking with its British counterpart about the conditions for ending the deal. The ministry has not provided reasons for its intention to withdraw. The UK Home Office did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
According to British sources cited by The Guardian, negotiations on extending the agreement stalled partly because France wants a broader mechanism between the UK and the European Union. Paris was also reluctant to significantly increase the number of people exchanged under the system.
Thousands have crossed the Channel
The deal was never implemented on a large scale.
According to figures cited by The Guardian, by the end of June 2026, more than 1,400 people had been returned from Britain to France under the scheme. Conversely, 1,117 people with ties to the UK were transferred from France to Britain over the same period.
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that returns had been operationally difficult. “Each return cost roughly £56,000,” she stated.
Deal originally valid until October 1
The initial plan was for the pilot mechanism to end sooner. However, London and Paris extended it to October 1, 2026 to cover an expected seasonal rise in Channel crossings during the summer.
The current talks will determine whether the existing system is continued, reformed, or replaced with a new mechanism altogether.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in June that France does not want to shoulder the responsibility for the issue alone, favoring the integration of the returns mechanism into a broader EU-UK agreement.
Returns system has been more complicated post-Brexit
Before Brexit, Britain and EU member states had a broader framework for returning asylum seekers. The situation changed when the UK left the European Union.
This is why ending the current France-UK agreement has broader implications. Without a replacement mechanism, the UK will have to find new legal and political solutions for returning migrants to France.
The returns issue goes beyond the dispute between London and Paris. Multiple EU countries are already discussing new return mechanisms for individuals without the right to remain in the bloc.
An increasing number of EU countries are focusing on returns policy and new migrant centers.
Channel crossings declined in 2026
Despite uncertainty around the deal, the number of recorded Channel crossings dropped compared to the previous year.
Data cited by The Guardian shows that between the start of the year and September 27, 19,135 people crossed the Channel in small boats—a 42 percent year-on-year decrease. However, these figures do not indicate that the “one in, one out” agreement was the cause of this decline.
The future of the system remains undecided. France and the UK continue to negotiate, but Paris is pushing for a broader solution while the current mechanism approaches its planned end date.
New returns centers for migrants: the EU is seeking solutions outside its borders.
READ ALSO
Migration remains a major issue in Europe. New rules are changing the way returns work.
Migration, security, and politics: Europe searches for new solutions
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
