Lilshira
Croatia uses charter flight to deport 36 Egyptians, citing lower costs
Croatia has begun using charter flights for forced removals, as demonstrated by a 4 November 2026 operation that deported 36 Egyptian nationals from Zagreb to Cairo. The interior ministry says the approach speeds up returns and cuts costs, with the flight funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Croatia will use charter flights for forced removals when cheaper than individual commercial flights
- Timing
- First charter flight used on 4 November 2026 for deporting 36 Egyptians
- Who is affected
- Illegal Egyptian nationals in Croatia and future groups of the same nationality
The details
- Announced by
- Croatian interior ministry
- Takes effect
- 4 November 2026
- Previous rule
- Forced removals were carried out on regular commercial flights, requiring two to three police officers per person and costing about 144,000 euros for this group.
- New rule
- A charter flight was organised, costing 77,350 euros, considered more cost‑effective and allowing faster implementation of the removals.
Decision and Cost Rationale
The interior ministry explained that the charter flight was chosen because it reduced the financial burden of forced removals. By using a dedicated aircraft, the state avoided the higher expenses associated with individual escorts on commercial services, which the ministry estimated would have reached roughly 144,000 euros for the 36 deportees.
- Charter flight cost: 77,350 euros
- Funding source: EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
Operational Execution
The operation was carried out from Zagreb Airport to Cairo on 4 November 2026. Croatia's national airline provided the aircraft, while Croatian police and Frontex officers escorted the passengers. An Arabic translator accompanied the group to ensure clear communication throughout the journey.
- Flight operated by Croatia's national airline
- Escorted by Croatian police and Frontex officers
- Arabic translator present on board
- Departure: Zagreb; Arrival: Cairo
Future Policy Outlook
The Police Directorate indicated that similar charter flights will be organised whenever they are financially advantageous and operationally efficient, especially for larger groups sharing the same nationality. All future returns will continue to comply with legal requirements and security standards set by Croatian authorities.
This approach signals a shift toward batch deportations that optimise resources while maintaining compliance with EU and national regulations.
- Charter flights considered when cheaper than individual commercial departures
- Targeted mainly at larger groups of the same nationality
- All removals to follow legal and security standards
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Individuals without legal status in Croatia may face quicker removal via charter flights.
- Regular tourists and visa holders experience no change to entry or stay conditions.
Cost and documents
- No new fees or paperwork are required for ordinary travelers entering Croatia.
- Deportation costs are covered by the EU AMIF and do not affect traveler expenses.
What you need to do
- People staying illegally should monitor Croatian immigration announcements for possible charter removals.
- Legal travelers should continue to follow standard visa and entry procedures.
Who this affects
-
Illegal Egyptian nationals in Croatia
They were found to be residing in the country without legal permission and were deported.
What to do Removed from Croatia on a charter flight funded by the EU AMIF.
-
Other illegal migrants in Croatia
The new approach may be applied to future groups of the same nationality.
What to do Could be subject to similar charter‑flight deportations if deemed cost‑effective.
-
Legal tourists and visa holders
The operation targets only those staying illegally; regular travelers are not targeted.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Croatia use a charter flight to deport the Egyptians?
Croatia chose a charter flight because it was cheaper and faster than individual commercial flights, reducing the estimated cost from about 144,000 euros to 77,350 euros and allowing quicker implementation of the forced removals.
How much did the charter flight cost and who paid for it?
The charter flight cost 77,350 euros and the expense was covered by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Was this the first charter flight used by Croatia for deportations?
The interior ministry presented the 4 November 2026 flight as a recent example of the new approach, and the police directorate says future charter flights will be organised when financially advantageous, indicating it is part of a developing practice rather than a one‑off event.
Will Croatia continue to use charter flights for other deportations?
The Police Directorate plans to organise more charter flights whenever they are deemed more financially advantageous and operationally efficient, especially for larger groups of the same nationality, while still complying with legal and security standards.
Does this deportation affect regular tourist visas or entry into Croatia?
The operation only concerns individuals found staying illegally; regular tourists and visa holders are not affected, and entry procedures for legal travelers remain unchanged.
