The following is a translation of an article written by Vivien Pesztericz-Kalas, a researcher at the University of Public Service Institute for Strategic Studies, originally published on the Five Minutes Europe blog of Ludovika.hu.
Member States Were Required to Comply with the New Rules as of 12 June
Yesterday, on 12 June, the European Union’s new migration pact—adopted in 2024—entered into force. The migration and asylum package, consisting of ten legislative acts, is built around four main pillars. One is strengthening the protection of external borders and making them more secure. This includes, among other things, legislation aimed at implementing more robust screening and more effective returns. The second pillar focuses on faster and more efficient asylum procedures. Another key element of the migration pact is deepening and establishing cooperation with third countries to combat illegal immigration. Finally, the fourth pillar is based on the principles of solidarity and mutual responsibility, which aim to address the situation of people residing in Europe.
The legislative package comprises nine regulations and one directive, which means that all its provisions are binding on all member states. As of 12 June, member states must comply with the following requirements:
1. EU relocation and humanitarian admission framework
The European Union applies a unified approach and procedure for individuals eligible for refugee status and must therefore ensure their safe arrival in the EU.
2. Establishing uniform reception conditions
To prevent migrants from secondary movements, member states must ensure uniform conditions. This includes, for example, healthcare standards, guaranteed employment opportunities, and schooling for children.
3. Harmonization of the criteria for eligibility for international protection
The Union establishes uniform rules on the granting and withdrawal of protection and clarifies the rights and obligations of beneficiaries.
4. Accelerated preliminary screening
Member states will have a few days to conduct preliminary screening at their borders in accordance with uniform standards, enabling them to determine, through an accelerated procedure, whether individuals are eligible for refugee status or whether removal proceedings should be initiated against them.
5. Expanded Eurodac database
The decision to expand the Eurodac database to include, in addition to asylum seekers, data on individuals residing in the EU illegally and those disembarked as part of rescue operations will facilitate coordinated and effective action in the future. Moreover, it will do so in much greater detail, as in addition to fingerprints, names and other personal data will also be stored.
6. New crisis protocols
In the event of an emergency situation—such as in the case of migration for political gain—temporary rules come into effect that may affect the time limits set for asylum procedures, as well as the forms of solidarity among member states.
7. A strengthened EU institution
In connection with the provisions of the migration pact, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) has been replaced by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to provide enhanced assistance to member states. Although the institution has existed in its new form since 2022, its establishment is also part of the migration pact.
8. Uniform rules for asylum procedures
Common rules now apply to the process of assessing submitted applications. These include shorter deadlines, the codification of applicants’ rights, and the consideration of lists of safe third countries and countries of origin.
9. A more efficient return system
To ensure more efficient and faster returns, the European Union is introducing two significant reforms in addition to adopting a common list of safe countries. First, the Order will be established, allowing a member state to immediately enforce another member state’s decision in this regard if a person not entitled to stay flees to its territory, thereby avoiding the need to restart the procedure from the beginning. On the other hand, it creates the possibility of establishing so-called return centres in non-EU countries, to which member states can send immigrants who have been legally expelled.
10. Flexible solidarity mechanism
The solidarity framework is the most controversial element of the migration pact. The mandatory annual immigrant quota—set by the European Commission at least 30,000—is distributed among member states based on GDP and population, after which member states can choose from three options—or even a combination thereof. They can accept the number of asylum seekers corresponding to their quota, pay a financial contribution for each person—each person is ‘worth’ 20,000 euros—or provide direct operational and technical assistance to countries under migration pressure. In 2026—since the decision covers only six months—21,000 immigrants must be distributed among EU nations in this manner.
Although these regulations were set to take legal effect as of yesterday, full practical implementation will still take a long time.
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