Strict laws, closed borders, contested rights. European countries are changing their migration policies one by one. Find out which ones are limiting asylum, where they are ignoring European norms, and what consequences this may have for the future of European unity
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In 2024-2025, the European Union is rapidly changing its approach to migration. A wave of political pressure, the growing popularity of right-wing parties, and public dissatisfaction with the social consequences of immigration are forcing a number of EU countries to look for new – often radical – ways to address the migration issue.
Which countries today demonstrate the toughest approach to refugees and asylum seekers? Let’s analyze them further in the article.
Fortress Europe: the new reality of migration policy in the EU🇭🇺 Hungary: a pioneer in ignoring migration law
Since 2015, Hungary, under the leadership of Viktor Orban, has effectively abandoned the consideration of asylum applications. Refugees either return to Serbia or go on to other EU countries.
The European Court of Justice fined Hungary €200 million for the violation, but Budapest remains adamant that immigration issues are exclusively a matter of national sovereignty.
🇵🇱 Poland: deportation as a state policy
Poland, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, continues the practice of forcibly returning migrants from the border with Belarus.
Recently, the parliament passed a law that allows the right to asylum to be ignored in certain cases. This is contrary to international law, but the Polish authorities justify their actions by defending against the hybrid threat from the Kremlin.
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🇩🇪 Germany: legal balance on the brink
German border police have been ordered to refuse to accept new asylum applications – except in cases of extreme necessity.
This step contradicts European norms, but the CDU and other politicians refer to the right of the state to act in the interests of internal security. Although the number of applications is already decreasing, doubts remain about the legal sustainability of this approach.
🇦🇹 Austria: restrictions on family reunification
The Austrian parliament has temporarily suspended the rule on family reunification. Although there are exceptions for minors, Vienna insists that the new measures are a response to the overloading of social infrastructures, including schools.
As in Germany, the government appeals to the exceptions provided by EU law in case of a threat to public order.
🇧🇪 Belgium: as strictly as possible within the limits
The new Belgian government is acting harshly, but formally within the framework of European law. Single men seeking asylum are not always provided with housing.
The priority is to minimize the number of new applications. At the same time, Belgium has taken into account the mistakes of previous years and is now focusing on the effectiveness of the procedures already authorized.
Almost all of these countries justify their actions with security considerations, infrastructure overload, or a “demographic” argument. At the same time, they either directly violate European agreements or use their flexibility.
However, such policies pose a serious threat to the EU’s legal order and may lead to the fragmentation of common migration policy.
What’s next?
It is expected that in the summer of 2025, a new, stricter asylum policy in the EU will come into force. It provides for the accelerated return of rejected asylum seekers and a reduction in new applications. However, many countries are already acting at their own discretion, and the European Commission has not yet demonstrated readiness to punish them.
The political wave that has swept across Europe calls into question the very essence of European unity – based on human rights, solidarity and respect for the rule of law. How the EU responds to these challenges may determine the future of the Union.
Tip: If you plan to stay in Europe legally after your temporary protection expires, consult with migration specialists now. Visit Ukraine lawyers advise on the rules of border crossing, paperwork in the EU, legalization of residence abroad, and other migration issues. Turning to professionals will help you avoid mistakes in the process of legalization, submission of documents or change of residence status.
We remind you! The Czech government is considering the possibility of terminating temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the event of a long-term ceasefire in Ukraine. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan announced plans to tighten the asylum procedure and introduce new approaches to the reception of war veterans. Read how this may affect Ukrainians in the Czech Republic in our previous article.
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