Trending 
France and the United Kingdom have agreed to extend their “one-in, one-out” migrant exchange arrangement until October 1, 2026, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, said on Wednesday.
The scheme, which began in September last year, allows the UK to return some migrants deemed ineligible to remain after arriving on its shores, while accepting an equivalent number from France whose asylum claims are considered more likely to succeed.
Haddad told a parliamentary committee that the extension had been agreed with British authorities and would maintain the existing cooperation framework.
He said that as of May 1, France had received 606 migrants under the readmission process, while 588 individuals had been legally admitted into the UK under the arrangement.
“It has been decided with our British partner to extend this agreement until October 1, 2026,” Haddad said.
“As of May 1, there had been 606 readmissions to France for 588 legal admissions to the United Kingdom,” he added.
The deal comes as both countries continue to grapple with irregular migration across the English Channel, a route frequently used by migrants departing from northern France after paying smugglers to cross in overcrowded and unsafe boats.
More than 41,000 people arrived on England’s southern coast last year, the second-highest figure since records began in 2018, according to official data.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood have faced increasing political pressure to reduce arrivals, as the anti-immigration Reform UK party continues to gain support in opinion polls.
At least 29 migrants died during attempted Channel crossings in the past year, while eight more deaths have been recorded so far in 2026, according to an AFP tally based on official sources from both countries.
