Belgium is becoming a new departure point for migrant boats crossing the Channel to England.
As of early Tuesday, small boats are being launched from the Belgian coast to collect migrants from France. Last year, there were no recorded cases of small boats setting out from Belgium.
However, within hours of this development, five vessels were detected launching from Belgian beaches in just the first two months of 2026. On a single day in April, at least 250 small boat migrants were reported to have launched from these beaches.
By mid-April, the total number of illegal migrant arrivals by small boat in the UK reached 6,060 for 2026. Criminal gangs are now targeting multiple beaches in Belgium for these launches.
Experts note that the distance from Belgium to the UK is twice that from Calais, making the crossing significantly more perilous. “Expanding their launch sites well into Belgium is a very significant and risky move,” stated a senior maritime security source.
Frontex reported a change in smugglers’ tactics at the start of 2026. A network supplying boats to smugglers was dismantled in France, resulting in 21 arrests. Yet, despite these efforts, police in France face accusations of not doing enough to stop small boats.
The Home Office has reported stopping over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross since the election. Migrants have become increasingly violent towards police—likely encouraged by gangs—raising alarms about public safety.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of operations along the Belgian coast. People smugglers are diverse in their origins but share a fierce determination, according to Frontex officials.
