The EU received over 513 000 asylum applications in the first half of 2024. One third of asylum seekers are women and girls. The EU’s asylum system incorporates gender-sensitive elements, and the Court of Justice of the EU has recognised gender-based violence as grounds for asylum. Despite these advances, more efforts are needed to address the human rights challenges women and girls face in asylum procedures.

The gender dimension of asylum claims in the EU

The European Parliament&nbsp;plays&nbsp;a central role in shaping the EU’s migration and asylum policy by&nbsp;scrutinising&nbsp;legislation,&nbsp;monitoring&nbsp;implementation of existing rules, and&nbsp;holding&nbsp;the European Commission and Member States accountable. Parliament&nbsp;emphasises&nbsp;the need for a fair, efficient, and humane system that&nbsp;ensures&nbsp;solidarity and responsibility-sharing among Member States,&nbsp;protects&nbsp;fundamental rights, and&nbsp;supports&nbsp;vulnerable people. MEPs&nbsp;engage&nbsp;in debates, propose amendments, and&nbsp;oversee&nbsp;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&nbsp;guides&nbsp;the development and implementation of EU migration and asylum policies across the Union.

The Parliament votes&nbsp; 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.

Migration

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

On Tuesday, MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe.

The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is expected to be formally unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday.

During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament is likely to emphasise the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries.

Debate on the new EU approach on migrant returns

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

EP Plenary Session - Spain’s large-scale regularisation policy and its impact on the Schengen Area and EU migration policy

EP Plenary session - Restoring control of migration: returns, visa policy and third-country cooperation

LIBE - A Long-Term European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy - Exchange of views with Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns

EP Plenary session - Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package

Press conference on Migration Pact files

Press conference on the outcome of the migration trilogue

Alessandro CIRIANI (ECR, IT) and Lena DÜPONT (EPP, DE), rapporteurs, hold a press conference on safe countries of origin and safe third country concept. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Alessandro CIRIANI (ECR, IT) and Lena DÜPONT (EPP, DE), rapporteurs on Safe countries of origin and safe third country concept

MEPs vote on: 1. Alessandro Ciriani (LIBE A10-0259/2025) - Establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level - 2. Lena Düpont (LIBE A10-0255/2025) - Application of the ‘safe third country’ concept.

Voting session on establishment of list of safe countries of origin and application of "safe third country" concept

One round of political group speakers on the CIRIANI and DÜPONT reports (establishment of list of safe countries of origin and application of "safe third country" concept)

One round of political group speakers, followed by a voting session on the following files: 1. Decision to enter interinstitutional negotiations: Düpont (A10-0255/2025) - Application of the ‘safe third country’ concept - 2. Decision to enter interinstitutional negotiations: Ciriani (A10-0259/2025) - Establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level.

One round of political group speakers, followed by voting session on the ‘safe third country’ concept and on the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin

This infoclips shows the activities at an asylum reception centre in Malmö, Sweden and a class learning Swedish at SFI Swedish For Immigrants Academy in Lund, Sweden. The Pact on Migration and Asylum establishes new EU rules for managing migration and creating a unified asylum system, aligning with European values. It builds on previous proposals to create a comprehensive approach that strengthens policies on migration, asylum, border management, and integration. The pact aims to manage migration fairly and sustainably, offering flexibility for EU countries to address their unique challenges while ensuring protections for those in need. After being adopted by the European Parliament and Council, the new rules will take effect on 11 June 2024, with full implementation two years later, ensuring secure borders and safeguarding rights across the EU.

Infoclip: Asylum and migration (Malmö, Sweden)

MEPs and the Commission debate change to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is formally unveiled by the European Commission. During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament emphasises the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries. Opening statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns: Opening statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration

MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is formally unveiled by the European Commission. During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament emphasises the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries. Closing statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration.

Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns: Closing statement by Magnus BRUNNER, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration

MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is formally unveiled by the European Commission. During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament emphasises the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries. MEPs debate (part 2).

new pact on asylum and migration (T)

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