1,674 third-country nationals were deported from the Maltese islands in 2025 by national authorities, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri told Parliament on Monday.

Responding to a parliamentary question from PL backbencher Davina Sammut Hili, Minister Camilleri said that on top of these deportations, the number of irregular immigrants arriving in Malta has decreased by 93%, compared to 2019 levels. In 2019, 3,405 irregular immigrants entered the country; in 2024, this number dropped to 238 sea arrivals.

In 2025, 83% of all irregular arrivals were returned.

The Minister also stated - thanks to a separate PQ posed by Opposition MP Darren Carabott - that local police carry out various inspections by its officers in the Maltese islands, often assisted by officers from other enforcement agencies, to identify third-country nationals who do not hold valid documentation to be in the country. This includes persons abusing Schengen, he said.

Minister Camilleri declared that from last year to 15 February 2026, 347 such inspections were carried out by Immigration Section officers. He said that "while the absolute majority of those inspected were in compliance with the law," 728 third-country nationals were identified and had legal proceedings taken against them.

The Home Affairs Minister credited this to the government's implemented strategies in recent years, which includes the establishment of a return unit. He added that he prioritised the latter as soon as he was put in charge of his Ministry.

Minister Camilleri noted that 48 irregular immigrants were returned to their country last December, just 17 days after their irregular entry into Malta. He stated that this return was so effective that it garnered praise from the European Commission as an example of good practice that can be adopted by other Member States.