Persons seeking asylum in Europe will soon experience a more streamlined and predictable process following today's entry into force of the European Union pact on Migration and Asylum, a major reform aimed at overhauling how the bloc manages migration, border procedures and refugee protection.
The Pact introduces stricter border management measures, including mandatory registration and security checks for irregular migrants arriving at the bloc's external borders.
It also seeks to speed up asylum decisions through shorter processing timelines and accelerated procedures for applicants deemed unlikely to qualify for international protection, while facilitating the return of those whose claims are rejected.
Additionally, the pact establishes common reception standards across member states to ensure dignified treatment of asylum seekers and faster access to employment and create a permanent solidarity mechanism requiring EU countries to share responsibility for migration management through relocation, financial contributions or operational support, while incorporating safeguards such as independent monitoring to ensure compliance with fundamental rights.
Welcoming the pact on Friday, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and its sister migration agency, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in a joint statement said the pact provides the bloc an opportunity to move beyond crisis-driven responses and implement a more predictable, fair and effective approach to the issues across member states.
“The Pact’s entry into full effect today is an important step toward a more predictable and coherent European migration system. What matters now is steady implementation over time that is effective, humane, sustainably resourced and grounded in cooperation. The priority is turning the reforms into practical results for States, communities, and people on the move,” said Amy Pope, the Director General, IOM.
The two agencies noted that the Pact aims to make EU asylum systems more efficient and consistent, offering a structured framework for member state cooperation which can reduce backlogs while maintaining the quality of assessments, thus providing greater certainty for asylum-seekers and enabling refugees to begin rebuilding their lives and contributing to their communities sooner.
At the same time, they added that several key elements of the pact, including earlier identification of people with specific needs, strengthened legal assistance, and new independent monitoring mechanisms at external borders.
This is in addition to ensuring that the process of returning those with no legal right to stay is done both in an effective and humane way as provided by the new coherent migration system that balances effective border management with the protection of people fleeing conflict, persecution and other forms of harm.
The measures further help ensure that asylum processing and return procedures are faster and fairer, reducing uncertainty for asylum seekers while strengthening public confidence in the migration and asylum system.
“This Pact is an important step in the right direction, advancing shared responsibility and more predictable, sustainable approaches across the European Union. UNHCR stands ready to support all Member States in strengthening asylum systems, ensuring access to protection for those in need, upholding human rights and dignity, and enabling safe, lawful and dignified returns for those not in need of international protection,” said Mr Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
On Thursday, the EU, in a statement, affirmed that the pact applies in all member states starting today.
“Migration is a European challenge which must be met with a European solution. One that is effective, fair and firm. This is what the Pact on Migration and Asylum delivers: more secure external borders, solidarity between Member States and more efficient procedures for asylum and return. And to address the root causes of migration together, we continue to strengthen our relationships with global partners,” Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, said.
The bloc added that the new approach is already showing strong results, with a 55 per cent decrease in illegal border crossings compared to two years ago.
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