In 2026, the different EU countries are not introducing one small update here and there — it is rolling out some of the most significant immigration and border management reforms in years. Most of these changes apply across the European Union rather than country by country, which means they will affect almost all EU Member States at the same time, although a few countries have special arrangements.
Below is a clear and simple explanation of the most important changes that are expected to be fully implemented during 2026.
1. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (Starting June 2026)
The biggest change in 2026 will be the full implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is a new system designed to reform how asylum seekers and irregular migrants are handled across the European Union.
What This Means in Simple Terms
From mid-2026 onward:
- All migrants who arrive irregularly at the external borders of the EU will go through a mandatory screening process, which includes identity verification, security checks, and health checks before they are formally allowed to apply for asylum.
- Asylum applications in certain cases will be processed more quickly through special border procedures, meaning some applicants may remain near border facilities while their cases are decided.
- The EU will operate under a new solidarity system, where countries that receive large numbers of migrants can receive support from other EU countries, either through relocation of asylum seekers or financial and operational assistance.
- The European fingerprint database (Eurodac) will be expanded and modernized, making it easier for authorities to track applications and movements within the EU.
Which Countries Are Included?
The Pact applies to almost all EU countries, including:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
- Ireland participates only in selected parts of the Pact because of its special opt-in system.
- Denmark has a legal opt-out from certain EU justice and home affairs laws, so some parts of the Pact may not apply fully there.
In practical terms, however, most EU countries will follow similar asylum procedures from mid-2026 onward.
2. Entry/Exit System (EES) – Fully Operational by April 2026
Another major change in 2026 is the full operation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) across most of the Schengen area.
This system will digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU travelers who come to Europe for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
What Will Change for Travelers?
When the system is fully active:
- Travelers from outside the EU may need to provide fingerprints and a facial scan when entering for the first time.
- Passports will no longer be stamped in the traditional way, because all data will be stored digitally.
- Authorities will automatically detect if someone overstays their permitted time.
This system strengthens border control and makes it much harder to remain in the EU beyond the allowed short-stay period.
Where Does It Apply?
The system applies to Schengen countries, which include most EU Member States. However, Ireland and Cyprus are not part of this system. All other Schengen EU countries will use EES from 2026.
3. ETIAS Travel Authorization (Expected Late 2026)
Later in 2026, the EU is expected to launch ETIAS, which is a pre-travel authorization system for travelers who currently do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. This system is similar to the ESTA system used by the United States.
What Does This Mean?
If you are from a visa-free country, you will:
- Need to apply online before traveling to Europe.
- Pay a small fee (€20 in most cases).
- Receive approval before boarding your flight.
This does not mean you are applying for a visa, but it does mean you must get travel authorization in advance. ETIAS will apply to most Schengen countries, but not to Ireland.
4. Faster Processing Through “Safe Country” Lists
Under the new asylum system, the EU is also introducing a common list of so-called “safe countries of origin.” If someone applies for asylum from a country considered generally safe, their application may be processed faster and through a simplified procedure.
However, individual circumstances will still be reviewed, and it does not automatically mean rejection — it simply means the process may be accelerated. This means that it will apply across participating EU Member States.
5. Changes to Work Migration Rules in Some Countries
In addition to EU-wide reforms, some individual countries are introducing updates to work migration systems in 2026. For example:
Austria
- Updated minimum income thresholds for Red-White-Red Card categories.
- Stronger enforcement of job adverts and labor market tests for shortage occupations.
- Faster processing targets for key skilled worker permits.
Belgium
- More structured “single permit” processing timelines (work + residency in one step).
- Digitalization of employer sponsorship and work permit applications to shorten waiting times.
- Revised quotas for seasonal and lower-skilled work permits.
Bulgaria
- Harmonization of salary and work-permit criteria with EU standards after full Schengen access.
- New digital application platform for employment-based residence.
Croatia
- Adjusted salary thresholds for Croatia’s work-and-residence permits in key sectors.
- Introduction of employer compliance reporting aligned with EU border system roll-outs.
Cyprus
- Revised salary thresholds and list of shortage occupations.
- Stronger checks on employer compliance; ties into new EU digital entry systems once Cyprus joins EES.
Czechia
- Temporary work permit extensions for high-demand sectors (IT, engineering).
- Slightly expanded list of shortage occupations eligible for simplified permits.
Denmark
- Updated minimum income requirements for fast-track work visas (especially the Positive List).
- New digital employer obligations for job postings and candidate documentation.
Estonia
- Further expansion of digital e-residency tools tied to employment permit processing.
- Enhanced integration support for high-skill migrants via the startup visa program.
Finland
- Faster handling of specialist visa applications in the tech and health sectors.
- New compliance reporting obligations for employers hiring non-EU nationals.
France
- Revised Skills and Talents permit criteria with clearer criteria and faster processing.
- Salary threshold revisions for highly skilled and executive immigration tracks.
Germany
Confirmed 2026 Changes:
- Updated EU Blue Card salary thresholds (e.g., higher standard threshold; lower threshold for shortage occupations).
- Employers must supply foreign hires with clear written information about rights, services, and support by the first workday.
- Larger quotas and faster procedures are anticipated for shortage occupations.
Greece
- Relaxed requirements for digital nomad visas.
- Updated work permit fees and quicker renewals for sectors with labor shortages.
Hungary
- Tighter job market checks before issuing work permits.
- Defined lists of shortage occupations with priority processing.
Ireland
- Incremental adjustments to Critical Skills Employment Permits and General Employment Permits.
- Employer compliance obligations have stricter documentation and verification.
Italy
- Updated quotas (“Decreto Flussi”) for seasonal and non-seasonal work.
- Salary and contract thresholds adjusted for Blue Card / national work authorization paths.
Latvia
- Higher minimum salary requirements for temporary work permits to reduce wage competition.
- Enhanced e-services for application tracking.
Lithuania
- More favorable quota allocations for digital and tech job permits.
- Strengthened employer monitoring and renewal oversight.
Luxembourg
- Updated minimum salary thresholds for highly-skilled migrants.
- Quicker work permit processing for frontier workers.
Malta
- Revised salary and contract conditions for work permit routes.
- New online employer licensing checks.
Netherlands
2026 Confirmed Updates:
- Employers must prove salary was actually paid into the migrant worker’s bank account, not just declared on payslips.
- Revised minimum income thresholds for residence permits and highly-skilled migrant schemes.
- Stronger sponsor monitoring and reporting requirements from 2026 onward.
Poland
- Extended work permit durations for key sectors.
- Digitization of employer reporting systems to speed up hiring of non-EU workers.
Portugal
- Adjusted minimum salary conditions for skilled migrant visas.
- New digital system updates for processing times.
- Naturalization rules halt on the new citizenship policy of 10 years.
Romania
- Adjusted wage thresholds for employment-based permits following full Schengen border alignment.
- New digital tracking for work permit and residence applications.
Slovakia
- Streamlined procedures for ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer) permits.
- Updated income requirements for certain visa categories.
Slovenia
- Revised salary thresholds for residence permits in shortage sectors.
- Introduced tighter employer compliance documentation.
Spain
- Updated wage thresholds for Blue Card and national work visas.
- Faster processing timelines in sectors with shortages (healthcare, agriculture).
- Regularization Decree for undocumented migrants.
Sweden
- Revised minimum income requirements for work permits.
- Simplified renewals for specialized professionals; stronger employer responsibility measures.