Published on
September 2, 2025
As of 2026, Europe is undergoing significant transformations in its immigration policies, driven by the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. This Pact aims to create a more unified asylum procedure across EU member states, standardizing processes for asylum seekers and ensuring more efficient management of migrant flows. Key reforms include screening and border procedures, a solidarity mechanism for redistributing asylum seekers, and streamlined return procedures for individuals without legal status. While the EU sets the framework, individual countries like Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands have adopted stricter national policies, ranging from family reunification restrictions to cultural integration tests and deportation measures. These changes aim to increase security, reduce irregular immigration, and improve integration efforts for those granted asylum. By implementing these policies, the EU seeks to balance humanitarian obligations with the security and economic concerns of host countries, shaping the future of migration in Europe.
As of 2026, Europe is undergoing a profound transformation in its immigration policies, particularly in response to rising immigration numbers, security concerns, and the need for a more standardized approach across member states. These changes, primarily driven by the European Union, aim to create a more cohesive, manageable, and secure immigration system across the continent. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, officially implemented in June 2026, is the cornerstone of these reforms, marking a significant shift in how asylum applications and immigration are handled across Europe.
1. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum
The Pact on Migration and Asylum, which entered into force in 2026, aims to create a balanced approach to managing migration across the EU. The Pact seeks to harmonize asylum procedures and provide a framework for solidarity between EU member states. The overarching goal is to ensure fair and efficient asylum processes, reduce irregular immigration, and improve the integration of those who are legally in Europe.
Key elements of the Pact include:
Screening and Border Procedures:The introduction of standardized border procedures will ensure that all asylum seekers undergo the same initial screening process at EU external borders. This includes checks for security risks, health conditions, and identification, aimed at ensuring that asylum seekers are processed swiftly and efficiently.The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) will be fully operational by 2026, enhancing the management of people entering and leaving EU countries.Solidarity Mechanism:The Pact establishes a solidarity mechanism that seeks to evenly distribute asylum seekers across the EU. This system encourages wealthier countries to assist others that receive disproportionate numbers of asylum applicants. Countries that can handle larger inflows will be expected to assist by either taking in more refugees or providing financial or logistical support to other countries that are overwhelmed.This mechanism also includes the Relocation and Return Regulation, which requires member states to take responsibility for migrants who are relocated from overburdened countries, such as Italy and Greece.Return Procedures:The EU has introduced a streamlined procedure for the return of individuals who do not meet the requirements for asylum or refugee status. This includes voluntary returns as well as more efficient processes for forced deportations. The aim is to speed up the removal of individuals who are residing in the EU illegally, reducing the time they remain in the asylum system.Digitalization:The ETIAS and EES systems, along with other digital tools, will enhance the efficiency of immigration and asylum management. The EES will record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals into the Schengen Area, providing a more accurate record of migrants and travelers within the EU. This will help to detect overstays and ensure that only those with valid visas or residency status remain in the region.2. Individual Country Reforms and Policies
While the EU Pact sets the groundwork for unified procedures, individual countries have also enacted stricter controls and specific national policies to adapt to the new reality of immigration:
Germany:In an effort to better manage migration and asylum requests, Germany has implemented stricter criteria for family reunification. This includes more stringent documentation requirements and additional financial requirements for those seeking to bring family members to Germany.There are also new policies focusing on the deportation of rejected asylum seekers, especially those who have committed crimes or overstayed their visas.France:France has introduced stricter residency criteria for asylum seekers, including mandatory detention periods for asylum seekers while their claims are processed. This is part of an effort to discourage “asylum shopping” where migrants apply for asylum in multiple countries.The French government has also pushed for stronger border controls, especially at Calais, to prevent migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel illegally.Italy:Italy has been a key player in the EU’s immigration challenges, particularly due to the influx of migrants arriving by sea. As part of the EU Pact, Italy has implemented policies that reject most asylum claims and prioritize the deportation of economic migrants, rather than those fleeing war or persecution.The government has also introduced legislation to streamline the asylum process and make it more difficult for migrants to remain in Italy without valid status.Sweden:Sweden has implemented language and cultural integration tests as part of the naturalization process. These tests are designed to ensure that migrants are fully integrated into Swedish society before they are granted full citizenship.Sweden has also shifted its asylum policy, prioritizing highly skilled workers and refugees from war zones, while restricting access for economic migrants.Denmark:Denmark’s “zero asylum” policy is one of the strictest in the EU. The country has significantly reduced its intake of refugees, focusing instead on integrating the migrants already within its borders. Denmark also enforces stricter family reunification rules, limiting the number of family members that can be reunited with migrants living in the country.Spain:Spain has taken a more inclusive approach to asylum seekers by offering pathways for regularizing the status of undocumented immigrants. However, they have simultaneously tightened border security to limit illegal entry, especially in the Canary Islands, which have seen high levels of migration from Africa.Spain has implemented policies to speed up the naturalization process for those who contribute to the economy, including offering residency to entrepreneurs and investors.Netherlands:The Netherlands has adopted the EU Pact and developed its national implementation plan, which focuses on improving asylum processing times and strengthening deportation procedures for rejected applicants. The government has also streamlined its procedures for skilled migration, making it easier for highly qualified workers to settle in the country.3. Key Objectives of the New Policies
The primary objective behind these unified and national reforms is to better manage migration and reduce the number of irregular migrants entering Europe. By streamlining asylum procedures and enhancing border controls, the EU aims to:
Increase efficiency in processing asylum claims and reduce the backlog of applications.Enhance security by screening asylum seekers more thoroughly to prevent the entry of individuals with criminal backgrounds or security risks.Improve integration for those migrants who are granted asylum, providing them with the necessary tools and support to integrate into society, including language classes, job training, and social support programs.Ensure solidarity among EU member states in dealing with the burden of migration, particularly for those countries facing higher influxes due to geographical proximity to conflict zones.
The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum marks a major shift towards stricter controls and more unified asylum procedures in Europe. As individual countries implement their national policies in alignment with the EU framework, these changes are expected to shape migration dynamics in Europe for the foreseeable future. While some countries take a more humanitarian approach, others focus on limiting immigration and increasing border security. The ultimate aim is to create a balanced, efficient, and secure immigration system that addresses both the humanitarian needs of refugees and the security and economic concerns of host countries.
Sources:
European Commission
The Times
Government of the Netherlands
Le Monde
Swedish Migration Agency
The Guardian
Le Figaro
