Britain and France have signed a new three-year agreement aimed at preventing undocumented migrants from making dangerous small-boat crossings across the English Channel.
Under the deal, France will significantly boost its coastal security presence, increasing law enforcement personnel by more than 50 percent to reach around 1,400 officers by 2029.
The plan also includes deploying advanced surveillance tools such as drones, helicopters, and digital monitoring systems to intercept crossings before boats leave shore. In return, the United Kingdom will provide up to €766 million in funding. However, nearly €186 million of that amount will be conditional on the effectiveness of the measures, with funds potentially redirected if targets are not met.
The agreement renews and expands cooperation under the Sandhurst Treaty, first signed in 2018 and extended in 2023. The UK had pushed for stricter conditions this time, arguing that previous efforts by France were insufficient to stop migrants and smuggling networks.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new framework allows Britain to invest in strategies that have proven results. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the deal as a key step toward dismantling illegal immigration networks.
Even without the conditional portion, Britain’s core contribution of €580 million marks a €40 million increase compared to the previous agreement. The deal comes at a politically sensitive time for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces mounting pressure to reduce irregular migration. According to official figures, more than 41,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, making it the second-highest year on record.
The crossings remain highly dangerous. At least 29 migrants lost their lives in the Channel last year, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian risks. French authorities say that, since the beginning of this year, the number of arrivals in the UK has dropped by half compared to the same period in 2025.
