EU Migration Pact to be rolled out in Mid 2026

EU migration pact to roll out by 11 June 2026 as planned by the European Commission. On 12 June, the EU presented a ten-part strategic plan to implement the new migration and asylum pact.

The newly announced and approved migration and asylum pact last month will act as the implementation of common rules for the whole bloc in the form of a template. According to the official website of the EU Commission, for the asylum system and its ten legal acts to be brought to life, the new pact will help with many migrant aspects.

The new pact will help EU countries to fairly and combine duties to handle migration and the asylum system. The new rules will make it tough for the migrants to seek protection in the whole region.

Statements by authorities

We are doing the same from the agency side. So, the EU Asylum Agency will have 100 new staff to help exactly with this implementation of the Pact. We have Frontex that will support. We have EU LISA that we are developing, for example for the new Eurodac. So, there is a lot of things that we will do to support Member States.

Remarks by Commissioner Ylva Johansson

To make sure that is the case, the Commission is today presenting a Common Implementation Plan for the Pact, mapping out all the milestones that need to be reached to get us from here to there in the next two years – which we will present to the Home Affairs Council tomorrow.

Remarks by Vice-President Margaritis Schinas

Details of Ten Planning Points

1. Reforming the Eurodac System

According to the Commission, the first step involves updating the Eurodac system, an integrated migration and asylum information platform. This reformed system is designed to help EU member states track migrant arrivals and monitor the progress of asylum applications.

As per the EU, all new arrivals will now undergo fingerprinting and photography to identify any potential security threats.

2. Managing External Borders

Implementing a new system for more efficient and streamlined asylum and return procedures, including robust safeguards. Applicants from countries with an EU asylum recognition rate below 20% or deemed security risks will face stricter border checks.

3. Enhancing Solidarity

The “solidarity mechanism” is intended to ensure no member state is left to handle migration pressures alone. However, some states like Poland and Hungary have expressed opposition to this mechanism.

4. Ensuring Adequate Reception Standards

This will involve providing asylum seekers with earlier access to the labor market, as well as offering physical and mental healthcare and increased protections for families, children, and vulnerable individuals.

5. Fair, Efficient, and Unified Asylum Procedures

The EU aims to standardize asylum procedures and qualifications across Europe. This includes enhancing safeguards, rights, and guarantees for applicants and beneficiaries.

6. Effective and Equitable Returns

The role of the EU’s new ‘return coordinator,’ established in 2022, will be expanded to ensure the effective return of individuals who do not have the right to remain in the EU.

7. Strengthening Preparedness and Crisis Response

Building greater resilience into its systems to address evolving migrant situations and prevent crises.

8. Promoting Resettlement, Inclusion, and Integration

EU members will increase efforts to integrate and include migrants within their societies.

9. Implementing New Responsibility Rules

The EU seeks to ensure that all member states share the responsibilities of accepting asylum seekers, thereby reducing incentives for secondary movements. They plan to improve the effectiveness of “take back” notifications, extending the principles of the Dublin Regulation, which mandates the return of asylum seekers to their first EU country of entry.

10. New Protections for Asylum Applicants

There will be enhanced monitoring of fundamental rights to ensure the protection and dignity of asylum applicants and vulnerable individuals.