EU Pact on Migration and Asylum becomes operational

The EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum officially entered into application on 12 June 2026, following a two-year transition period. The Pact consists of 10 legislative acts aimed to create a more efficient common migration and asylum system across the European Union.

Some of the changes includes:

External border management
All irregular arrivals are now subject to mandatory:

• Registration and identity verification;
• Security, health, and vulnerability assessments;
• Uniform screening procedures across all Member States.

Screening must be completed within:

• 7 days for arrivals at external borders;
• 3 days for persons apprehended within EU territory.

Applicants are subsequently directed to the appropriate asylum or return procedure.

Mandatory border procedures
Certain applicants must remain at the border while their cases are processed, including:

• Persons unlikely to qualify for international protection;
• Individuals posing security risks;
• Applicants who provide misleading information.

Faster and harmonised procedures
The Pact introduces shorter deadlines for asylum decisions, strengthens measures against abusive and repeat applications and improves tracking through the upgraded Eurodac database.

Stronger protection of the rights of applicants
New reception standards guarantee:

• Free legal counselling and assistance throughout proceedings, including appeals;
• Guidance on rights, obligations, and asylum procedures;
• Special support for vulnerable applicants;
• Common EU reception standards and capacity planning.

New Solidarity Mechanism
The Pact creates a mandatory but flexible solidarity system to support Member States facing high migratory pressure, including :

• Clear responsibility rules, generally linked to the country of first entry;
• Faster procedures for handling secondary movements within the EU;
• Established responsibilities throughout the asylum process;
• Support measures such as relocations, financial contributions, or other assistance when needed.

Crisis framework
For the first time, the EU has a dedicated legal framework to respond to migration emergencies, including force majeure situations, accelerated asylum and return procedures and improved operational support from EUAA and Frontex.