Small boat crossings of the English Channel fall 42% year-on-year in 2026
Quick Look
- Between 1 January and 27 September 2026, 19,135 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France, a 42% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
- These crossings remain the most common method of detected illegal entry to the UK since 2020, with nearly all arrivals claiming asylum.
- Boats carried an average of 67 people in the year to September 2026, more than double the 2021 average, and at least 84 people died attempting the crossing in 2024 according to the UN.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Small boat crossings of the English Channel have been a significant migration route since 2020, with most arrivals seeking asylum in the UK under international law.
Between 1 January and 27 September 2026, a total of 19,135 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France. This was down by 42% on the same period the previous year.
These crossings have become the most common way for people to be detected entering the UK illegally since 2020.
Nearly all those who arrive by small boat claim asylum. Under international law, this means they are allowed to stay in the country while their asylum application is considered.
Small boat arrivals made up 40% of asylum applications between July 2025 to June 2026.
Boats that arrived in the UK from 28 September 2025 to 27 September 2026 carried an average of 67 people. This has more than doubled since 2021.
Experts say overcrowding in boats makes crossings riskier. At least 84 people died while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024, according to the United Nations (UN).
When looking at the scale of small boats crossings, the number of these arrivals is about 5% of the size of total immigration into the UK from January 2025 to December 2025.
Open Questions
- What specific factors contributed to the 42% decrease in crossings compared to the previous year?
- What measures are being taken by the UK and France to address the safety risks of overcrowded boats?
- How does the current level of small boat arrivals compare to other legal immigration routes into the UK?
