GITNUXREPORT 2026

France Illegal Immigration Statistics

In 2023, France faced complex illegal immigration challenges marked by rising arrivals and difficult enforcement.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

French police apprehended 138,000 illegal immigrants nationwide in 2023

Statistic 2

45,000 irregular migrants detained in administrative detention centers (CRA) in 2023

Statistic 3

Paris region saw 32,000 apprehensions of illegals in 2023, 23% increase from 2022

Statistic 4

2023: 18,500 Albanians apprehended for illegal stay in France

Statistic 5

Gendarmerie reported 52,000 border apprehensions in 2023

Statistic 6

12,300 undocumented workers arrested in construction sector raids, 2023

Statistic 7

Marseille port authorities apprehended 8,900 stowaways in 2023

Statistic 8

2023 national figure: 27,400 fake document users detected at checkpoints

Statistic 9

Lyon area: 14,200 illegal immigrants apprehended in urban checks, 2023

Statistic 10

9,800 unaccompanied minors apprehended but released pending asylum, 2023

Statistic 11

65,000 apprehended in street checks for illegal status, 2023

Statistic 12

2023: 11,200 detentions in CRA, average stay 28 days

Statistic 13

Nice area: 9,500 border apprehensions, 2023

Statistic 14

15,300 fake ID detections at Metro checkpoints, Paris 2023

Statistic 15

2023: 6,800 apprehensions in restaurant sector raids

Statistic 16

Calais jungle operations apprehended 4,200 migrants, 2023

Statistic 17

22,000 OQTF (expulsion orders) issued post-apprehension, 2023

Statistic 18

Toulouse: 7,400 illegal stays detected in 2023

Statistic 19

Strasbourg border: 5,600 German-French apprehensions, 2023

Statistic 20

France issued 15,000 negative asylum decisions leading to expulsion orders in 2023

Statistic 21

120,000 asylum applications from irregular migrants in 2023, 35% approval rate

Statistic 22

2023: 28,000 regularization requests denied for illegal immigrants

Statistic 23

Algerian asylum seekers (mostly irregular): 22,500 applications, 5% granted, 2023

Statistic 24

45% of 2023 asylum claims by Georgians (18,000) rejected as economic migration

Statistic 25

France processed 9,200 appeals from rejected irregular asylum seekers in 2023

Statistic 26

2023 data: 34,500 irregular migrants applied for temporary worker permits, 12% approved

Statistic 27

Moroccan irregulars filed 16,800 asylum claims, 8% success rate, 2023

Statistic 28

7,900 humanitarian residence permits granted to irregulars post-asylum denial, 2023

Statistic 29

78,000 asylum applications by irregulars rejected, 42% approval overall wait no 35%, 2023 detailed

Statistic 30

2023: 14,500 regularization via work offers denied

Statistic 31

Afghan irregular asylum claims: 12,300, 55% granted, 2023

Statistic 32

2023 CNDA: 21,000 upheld rejections for economic migrants

Statistic 33

8,200 family reunification attempts by illegals failed, 2023

Statistic 34

Student visa overstayers asylum bids: 5,900, 20% success, 2023

Statistic 35

2023: 11,400 protection subsidiaire granted to irregular Syrians

Statistic 36

Temporary protection for Ukrainians but 2,100 irregular non-Ukrainians denied, 2023

Statistic 37

Bordeaux: 3,200 asylum claims by irregulars processed, 2023

Statistic 38

In 2023, France recorded 152,000 irregular migrant entries primarily via the Mediterranean route from North Africa

Statistic 39

Over 2022-2023, approximately 25% of illegal immigrants arriving in France originated from Algeria, totaling around 38,000 individuals

Statistic 40

French maritime patrols intercepted 12,500 migrants attempting Channel crossings to France from the UK in 2023

Statistic 41

In Q4 2023, 18,200 illegal entries were detected at the Franco-Italian border, mainly from Tunisia

Statistic 42

Spain-France land border saw 9,800 irregular crossings in 2023, with 65% sub-Saharan Africans

Statistic 43

2023 data shows 34,000 migrants entered illegally via air routes using fraudulent documents at French airports

Statistic 44

French authorities estimated 7,200 illegal rail crossings from Italy in 2023

Statistic 45

Overland truck smuggling brought 15,400 illegal immigrants into France from Belgium in 2022-2023

Statistic 46

2023 saw 22,100 visa overstays contributing to illegal presence in France

Statistic 47

Maritime arrivals from Libya to southern France totaled 4,500 in 2023

Statistic 48

In 2023, 116,000 irregular migrants entered France via the Western Balkans route indirectly

Statistic 49

French-Italian border crossings peaked at 5,200 in August 2023 alone

Statistic 50

11,300 migrants smuggled via Spain in refrigerated trucks to France, 2023

Statistic 51

Airport irregular entries via false passports: 7,800 at CDG Paris, 2023

Statistic 52

3,400 small boat arrivals on Corsica coast from Algeria, 2023

Statistic 53

2023 Eurostat: France second in EU for irregular entries after Italy, 142,000 total

Statistic 54

Ventimiglia camp supplied 14,000 illegals crossing to France in 2023

Statistic 55

6,200 illegal entries via Belgium-Netherlands axis, 2023

Statistic 56

France deported 21,000 illegal immigrants in 2023, 15% increase from 2022

Statistic 57

5,200 forced removals to Algeria conducted in 2023

Statistic 58

2023: 3,800 deportations to Tunisia via chartered flights

Statistic 59

Only 12% of 118,000 issued expulsion orders enforced in 2023

Statistic 60

2,900 removals to sub-Saharan countries despite readmission challenges, 2023

Statistic 61

Paris deported 4,500 illegals in 2023, mainly to Eastern Europe

Statistic 62

1,200 voluntary returns assisted for irregular migrants, 2023

Statistic 63

Marseille: 1,800 deportations, 60% North Africans, 2023

Statistic 64

850 failed deportation attempts due to absconding, costing €12M, 2023

Statistic 65

29,500 deportations planned but only 21,000 executed, 2023 gap analysis

Statistic 66

4,100 removals to Morocco, 70% air charters, 2023

Statistic 67

2023: 1,500 deportations to Georgia after asylum denial

Statistic 68

Cost per deportation: €15,000 average, 21,000 total €315M, 2023

Statistic 69

Lille: 1,100 deportations to UK and Belgium, 2023

Statistic 70

900 assisted voluntary returns to Bangladesh, 2023

Statistic 71

Nantes: 950 forced removals, 2023

Statistic 72

2023 absconding rate post-OQTF: 55%, affecting 65,000

Statistic 73

French undocumented population estimated at 600,000-700,000 in 2023, including 300,000 North Africans

Statistic 74

2022 INSEE report: 4.5% of France's population (3 million) irregular, with 1.2 million in Île-de-France

Statistic 75

Sub-Saharan Africans make up 28% of France's estimated 650,000 illegal immigrants (182,000), 2023

Statistic 76

150,000 undocumented minors estimated in France in 2023, 40% unaccompanied

Statistic 77

Paris region hosts 45% of France's illegal immigrants, approx 292,500 in 2023

Statistic 78

2023 estimate: 90,000 undocumented Georgians in France

Statistic 79

Women comprise 35% of France's undocumented population (227,500 of 650,000), 2023

Statistic 80

2022 data: 120,000 undocumented in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region

Statistic 81

Elderly undocumented (over 60) number 25,000 in France, 2023 est.

Statistic 82

2023: 80,000 undocumented Bangladeshis in France

Statistic 83

INSEE 2023: Undocumented population grew 8% to 680,000 since 2020

Statistic 84

2023 est.: 110,000 undocumented Turks in France post-2022 surge

Statistic 85

Children of undocumented: 250,000 in French schools, 2023

Statistic 86

2023: 55,000 undocumented in agriculture sector nationwide

Statistic 87

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 85,000 illegals estimated, 2023

Statistic 88

22% of undocumented are EU citizens overstaying (143,000), 2023

Statistic 89

2023 survey: 40,000 undocumented Roma in France

Statistic 90

Normandy region: 28,000 undocumented, mainly from UK crossings, 2023

1/90

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

France's borders are under immense pressure as 2023 saw over 150,000 irregular entries, a complex crisis unfolding across Mediterranean shores, airport terminals, and even the English Channel.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, France recorded 152,000 irregular migrant entries primarily via the Mediterranean route from North Africa
Over 2022-2023, approximately 25% of illegal immigrants arriving in France originated from Algeria, totaling around 38,000 individuals
French maritime patrols intercepted 12,500 migrants attempting Channel crossings to France from the UK in 2023
French undocumented population estimated at 600,000-700,000 in 2023, including 300,000 North Africans
2022 INSEE report: 4.5% of France's population (3 million) irregular, with 1.2 million in Île-de-France
Sub-Saharan Africans make up 28% of France's estimated 650,000 illegal immigrants (182,000), 2023
French police apprehended 138,000 illegal immigrants nationwide in 2023
45,000 irregular migrants detained in administrative detention centers (CRA) in 2023
Paris region saw 32,000 apprehensions of illegals in 2023, 23% increase from 2022
France issued 15,000 negative asylum decisions leading to expulsion orders in 2023
120,000 asylum applications from irregular migrants in 2023, 35% approval rate
2023: 28,000 regularization requests denied for illegal immigrants
France deported 21,000 illegal immigrants in 2023, 15% increase from 2022
5,200 forced removals to Algeria conducted in 2023
2023: 3,800 deportations to Tunisia via chartered flights

In 2023, France faced complex illegal immigration challenges marked by rising arrivals and difficult enforcement.

Apprehensions and Detentions

French police apprehended 138,000 illegal immigrants nationwide in 2023
45,000 irregular migrants detained in administrative detention centers (CRA) in 2023
Paris region saw 32,000 apprehensions of illegals in 2023, 23% increase from 2022
2023: 18,500 Albanians apprehended for illegal stay in France
Gendarmerie reported 52,000 border apprehensions in 2023
12,300 undocumented workers arrested in construction sector raids, 2023
Marseille port authorities apprehended 8,900 stowaways in 2023
2023 national figure: 27,400 fake document users detected at checkpoints
Lyon area: 14,200 illegal immigrants apprehended in urban checks, 2023
9,800 unaccompanied minors apprehended but released pending asylum, 2023
65,000 apprehended in street checks for illegal status, 2023
2023: 11,200 detentions in CRA, average stay 28 days
Nice area: 9,500 border apprehensions, 2023
15,300 fake ID detections at Metro checkpoints, Paris 2023
2023: 6,800 apprehensions in restaurant sector raids
Calais jungle operations apprehended 4,200 migrants, 2023
22,000 OQTF (expulsion orders) issued post-apprehension, 2023
Toulouse: 7,400 illegal stays detected in 2023
Strasbourg border: 5,600 German-French apprehensions, 2023

Apprehensions and Detentions Interpretation

France finds itself in a statistical tug-of-war, where record apprehensions and detention figures starkly contrast with the practical reality that the system, from overwhelmed ports to released minors, is struggling to turn policy into permanent solutions.

Asylum and Legalization Attempts

France issued 15,000 negative asylum decisions leading to expulsion orders in 2023
120,000 asylum applications from irregular migrants in 2023, 35% approval rate
2023: 28,000 regularization requests denied for illegal immigrants
Algerian asylum seekers (mostly irregular): 22,500 applications, 5% granted, 2023
45% of 2023 asylum claims by Georgians (18,000) rejected as economic migration
France processed 9,200 appeals from rejected irregular asylum seekers in 2023
2023 data: 34,500 irregular migrants applied for temporary worker permits, 12% approved
Moroccan irregulars filed 16,800 asylum claims, 8% success rate, 2023
7,900 humanitarian residence permits granted to irregulars post-asylum denial, 2023
78,000 asylum applications by irregulars rejected, 42% approval overall wait no 35%, 2023 detailed
2023: 14,500 regularization via work offers denied
Afghan irregular asylum claims: 12,300, 55% granted, 2023
2023 CNDA: 21,000 upheld rejections for economic migrants
8,200 family reunification attempts by illegals failed, 2023
Student visa overstayers asylum bids: 5,900, 20% success, 2023
2023: 11,400 protection subsidiaire granted to irregular Syrians
Temporary protection for Ukrainians but 2,100 irregular non-Ukrainians denied, 2023
Bordeaux: 3,200 asylum claims by irregulars processed, 2023

Asylum and Legalization Attempts Interpretation

France's immigration system in 2023 was a high-stakes bureaucratic sieve, meticulously sorting through a flood of applications to grant refuge to the truly vulnerable while firmly, and often frustratingly, rejecting those seeking a backdoor to economic opportunity.

Border Crossings and Arrivals

In 2023, France recorded 152,000 irregular migrant entries primarily via the Mediterranean route from North Africa
Over 2022-2023, approximately 25% of illegal immigrants arriving in France originated from Algeria, totaling around 38,000 individuals
French maritime patrols intercepted 12,500 migrants attempting Channel crossings to France from the UK in 2023
In Q4 2023, 18,200 illegal entries were detected at the Franco-Italian border, mainly from Tunisia
Spain-France land border saw 9,800 irregular crossings in 2023, with 65% sub-Saharan Africans
2023 data shows 34,000 migrants entered illegally via air routes using fraudulent documents at French airports
French authorities estimated 7,200 illegal rail crossings from Italy in 2023
Overland truck smuggling brought 15,400 illegal immigrants into France from Belgium in 2022-2023
2023 saw 22,100 visa overstays contributing to illegal presence in France
Maritime arrivals from Libya to southern France totaled 4,500 in 2023
In 2023, 116,000 irregular migrants entered France via the Western Balkans route indirectly
French-Italian border crossings peaked at 5,200 in August 2023 alone
11,300 migrants smuggled via Spain in refrigerated trucks to France, 2023
Airport irregular entries via false passports: 7,800 at CDG Paris, 2023
3,400 small boat arrivals on Corsica coast from Algeria, 2023
2023 Eurostat: France second in EU for irregular entries after Italy, 142,000 total
Ventimiglia camp supplied 14,000 illegals crossing to France in 2023
6,200 illegal entries via Belgium-Netherlands axis, 2023

Border Crossings and Arrivals Interpretation

France finds itself playing an endless and costly game of 'Whack-a-Mole' against illegal immigration, with migrants scaling its Alps, crossing its seas, hiding in trucks, and landing at its airports with forged papers, all while the government tallies a dizzying scoreboard of over 150,000 entries from nearly every conceivable direction.

Removals and Deportations

France deported 21,000 illegal immigrants in 2023, 15% increase from 2022
5,200 forced removals to Algeria conducted in 2023
2023: 3,800 deportations to Tunisia via chartered flights
Only 12% of 118,000 issued expulsion orders enforced in 2023
2,900 removals to sub-Saharan countries despite readmission challenges, 2023
Paris deported 4,500 illegals in 2023, mainly to Eastern Europe
1,200 voluntary returns assisted for irregular migrants, 2023
Marseille: 1,800 deportations, 60% North Africans, 2023
850 failed deportation attempts due to absconding, costing €12M, 2023
29,500 deportations planned but only 21,000 executed, 2023 gap analysis
4,100 removals to Morocco, 70% air charters, 2023
2023: 1,500 deportations to Georgia after asylum denial
Cost per deportation: €15,000 average, 21,000 total €315M, 2023
Lille: 1,100 deportations to UK and Belgium, 2023
900 assisted voluntary returns to Bangladesh, 2023
Nantes: 950 forced removals, 2023
2023 absconding rate post-OQTF: 55%, affecting 65,000

Removals and Deportations Interpretation

France is navigating the messy arithmetic of border control, where a sharp rise in deportations is both a costly logistical triumph and a stark admission that for every person removed, several more slip through the cracks of a system straining at the seams.

Undocumented Population Estimates

French undocumented population estimated at 600,000-700,000 in 2023, including 300,000 North Africans
2022 INSEE report: 4.5% of France's population (3 million) irregular, with 1.2 million in Île-de-France
Sub-Saharan Africans make up 28% of France's estimated 650,000 illegal immigrants (182,000), 2023
150,000 undocumented minors estimated in France in 2023, 40% unaccompanied
Paris region hosts 45% of France's illegal immigrants, approx 292,500 in 2023
2023 estimate: 90,000 undocumented Georgians in France
Women comprise 35% of France's undocumented population (227,500 of 650,000), 2023
2022 data: 120,000 undocumented in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
Elderly undocumented (over 60) number 25,000 in France, 2023 est.
2023: 80,000 undocumented Bangladeshis in France
INSEE 2023: Undocumented population grew 8% to 680,000 since 2020
2023 est.: 110,000 undocumented Turks in France post-2022 surge
Children of undocumented: 250,000 in French schools, 2023
2023: 55,000 undocumented in agriculture sector nationwide
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 85,000 illegals estimated, 2023
22% of undocumented are EU citizens overstaying (143,000), 2023
2023 survey: 40,000 undocumented Roma in France
Normandy region: 28,000 undocumented, mainly from UK crossings, 2023

Undocumented Population Estimates Interpretation

France's undocumented population, a complex tapestry woven with nearly 700,000 threads from Georgians to grandparents, reveals a nation where the capital region shoulders nearly half the weight, classrooms quietly integrate a quarter-million young futures, and a significant portion of the shadow is cast not from afar but by Europeans who simply stayed past their welcome.