The Study’s main aims were to:
- Analyse similarities and differences between Member States concerning the legal and institutional framework on entry bans;
- Explore the practical application of entry bans by mapping and reviewing whether Member States make use of a graduated approach (including withdrawal/suspension of entry bans and in what circumstances); and investigating cooperation mechanisms between Member States;
- Analyse the effectiveness of entry bans by reviewing available statistical evidence on their impacts, exploring practical implementation challenges; and identifying any good practices;
- Explore the practical application of readmission agreements distinguishing between agreements concluded by the EU level and by Member States with third countries on a bilateral basis and specifying the extent to which such agreements are used in the context of forced and voluntary returns;
- Collect new statistical evidence on the use of readmission agreements, exploring practical challenges to their implementation and identifying good practice for their use.
- Briefly compare the possible synergies between entry bans and readmission agreements on the one hand and reintegration assistance on the other hand as tools to assist Member states in their implementation of return policies more broadly.