Frontex has increasingly become an operational arm of the EU’s return policy, with a growing portfolio of possible support functions, even though decision-making power remains with the member states. The report examines how cooperation between Sweden and Frontex works in practice and to what extent the authorities use the support offered by Frontex.
Key conclusions and recommendations
- The report notes that Sweden is one of the EU countries that makes extensive use of Frontex support for return operations, not least because Frontex finances such operations.
- Swedish actors are generally perceived as positive towards Frontex, but there are doubts, particularly regarding the so-called standing force, i.e. a permanent operational unit consisting of both Frontex's own staff and seconded personnel from member states, which is planned to grow rapidly in the coming years.
- With regard to the continued development of Frontex, the report recommends, among other things, that there may be reason to continue to slow down, given the rapid expansion that has taken place, and to focus more on Frontex's existing core tasks in border control, return, and the protection of fundamental rights.
About the authors
The report was written by Daniel Silberstein, Research Coordinator at Delmi, Suzanne Planchard, Research Coordinator at Delmi, and Henrik Malm Lindberg, Deputy Secretary General at Delmi.
The report was published on 2 December 2025.
Picture: Alexander Psiuk via Unsplash.
The project is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
