The European Union has agreed on a major reform of its migration and asylum system, introducing faster deportations, offshore return hubs, and stricter asylum procedures. EU interior ministers approved the package in Brussels in December, with the new rules scheduled to take effect from June 2026.
What Has the EU Decided?
The approved reform strengthens the EU’s ability to return migrants whose asylum applications are rejected. Member states will be allowed to:
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Detain rejected asylum seekers for longer periods
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Transfer them to offshore “return hubs” in non-EU countries
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Deport individuals either to their home country or a designated safe third country
To support countries under high migration pressure, the EU has also set aside a €420 million solidarity fund for 2026.
New EU-Wide Deportation Rules
At the core of the agreement is a new EU returns regulation, which standardizes deportation procedures across all member states.
Key changes include:
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Introduction of a European Return Order
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Mandatory upload of deportation decisions to the Schengen Information System (SIS)
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Easier enforcement of deportation orders across EU borders
This aims to prevent migrants from moving between countries to avoid removal.
Expanded “Safe Country” Lists
The reform also updates asylum processing rules by expanding the use of safe country designations. Applications from people who traveled through or originate from listed safe countries will be processed faster.
The first EU-wide safe country list includes:
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Bangladesh
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Colombia
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Egypt
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India
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Kosovo
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Morocco
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Tunisia
Asylum decisions for applicants from these countries are expected within weeks rather than months.
Mixed Reactions Across Europe
EU officials say the reforms will improve border control and restore public confidence. Supporters argue that the package closes gaps in the existing Migration and Asylum Pact adopted in 2024.
However, human rights organizations and several lawmakers have criticized the measures, warning that offshore hubs and extended detention could weaken asylum protections and fundamental rights.
What Happens Next?
The approved package will now move to negotiations with the European Parliament. If endorsed, the new rules will come into force alongside the broader EU Migration and Asylum Pact in June 2026.
The changes represent one of the most significant shifts in EU migration policy in recent years.