The European Parliament plays a central role in shaping the EU’s migration and asylum policy by scrutinising legislation, monitoring implementation of existing rules, and holding the European Commission and Member States accountable. Parliament emphasises the need for a fair, efficient, and humane system that ensures solidarity and responsibility-sharing among Member States, protects fundamental rights, and supports vulnerable people. MEPs engage in debates, propose amendments, and oversee cooperation with third countries, focusing on safe and legal migration pathways, effective asylum procedures, and the management of returns. Through these actions, the European Parliament guides the development and implementation of EU migration and asylum policies across the Union.

The Parliament votes during the Plenary on new rules on safe countries of origin and safe third countries

Safe countries of origin

The first EU common list of safe countries of origin will include, in line with the Commission proposal, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia. It will allow for accelerated processing of asylum claims from nationals of these countries.

EU candidate countries will also be presumed to be safe for their own nationals, unless specific circumstances — such as indiscriminate violence linked to armed conflict, an EU-wide asylum recognition rate above 20%, or sanctions for fundamental rights violations — justify a different assessment.

Member states would still retain the possibility to designate additional safe countries of origin at the national level, except for those suspended from the list by the EU. Parliament and Council negotiators decided that certain provisions on designation of a safe country at national level and early application of accelerated border procedures could apply before the EU asylum legislation becomes generally applicable in June 2026.

Safe third countries

Updated rules will allow EU member states to declare asylum applications inadmissible where applicants have either a connection to, transited through, or can be transferred to a non-EU country deemed safe, based on bilateral or EU level agreements with third countries. Under the new legislation, appealing an inadmissibility decision will not automatically suspend the return decisions.

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