Belgium is becoming a new departure point for migrant boats crossing the Channel to England. This marks a significant shift in the migration pattern.
Last year, there were no recorded cases of small boats setting out from the Belgian coast. However, early Tuesday reports indicated that small boats are now being launched from Belgian beaches to collect migrants from France.
As of midday, five vessels were detected launching from Belgium in just the first two months of 2026. On a single day in April 2026, at least 250 small boat migrants launched from Belgian beaches. This sudden surge has raised alarms among authorities.
The total number of illegal migrant arrivals by small boat in the UK for 2026 reached 6,060 by mid-April. Criminal gangs are increasingly targeting multiple beaches in Belgium for these launches.
The distance from Belgium to the UK is approximately 20 miles—twice that of the Calais crossing—making this journey more perilous for migrants. Yet, smugglers have adapted their tactics. Frontex reported a change in strategies at the start of 2026.
Earlier this year, a network supplying boats to smugglers was dismantled in France, resulting in 21 arrests. This crackdown has seemingly pushed smugglers to seek alternative launch sites further afield.
Authorities are responding aggressively. The Home Office reported stopping over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel since the election. However, police in France have faced criticism for not doing enough against organized gangs.
Experts warn that expanding launch sites into Belgium is a significant and risky move for these criminal networks. “People smugglers are diverse in their origins but they all share a fierce determination,” stated a Frontex spokesman. The shift represents perhaps the biggest tactical change from smuggling gangs in recent years.