Government publishes update on the implementation of the Pact

An update was published on 3 July 2026 on the implementation of the Pact based on a number of buildings blocks:

1. Eurodac: The overall entry into operation was smooth and successful. Workstations were fully configured at the General Headquarters of the Malta Police Force. The procurement process was started with equipment to be purchased through an EU-funded tender. Training is ongoing and planned to finish by the end of 2026.
2. Border procedure/screening: Two targets are envisaged, including information on the Screening Regulation by the Malta police force and enhancing the resources of the International Protection Agency (IPA) for data collection, including by increasing support to the agency’s IT needs.
3. Reception: Transposition of the 2024 Reception Conditions Directive and EU funds will be used to refurbish open centres and improve the quality of services provided by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).
4. Fair, efficient and convergent asylum procedures: Recruitment calls were issued for the IPA, and existing guidelines and standard operating procedures were updated to align with the Pact.
5. Efficient and fair return procedures: To streamline the return procedure, return decisions will be issued either together with or shortly after the decision of the IPA to reject the asylum application as inadmissible, unfounded or manifestly unfounded. Additionally, appeals against return decisions will no longer be heard by the Immigration Appeals Board but will start being heard by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) so that both the appeal on the return decision and the asylum application will be heard concurrently by the same body.
6. Fair and efficient system - making the new responsibility rules work: New personnel will be recruited to the Dublin Unit within the IPA.
7. Making solidarity work: Preparations are underway to fulfil the relocation pledges under the current solidarity cycle with personnel from the Migration Directorate and the IPA assigned to ensure coordination and carry out related tasks as required.
8. Preparedness, contingency planning and crisis response: Contingency plans were communicated to the EUAA in April 2025.
9. New safeguards and increased monitoring of fundamental rights:
   1. Legal aid: free legal aid will be guaranteed to all asylum applicants at appeal stage.
   2. Appeals: Applications which have been rejected as manifestly unfounded or as inadmissible will be processed within shorter timeframes compared to appeals against applications processed under the regular procedure. Additionally, such applicants will be able to file an appeal against the decision, to file submissions at appeals stage, and to attend hearings if deemed necessary by the IPAT.
   3. Right to remain: Applicants whose applications have been rejected as manifestly unfounded will not have an automatic right to remain pending the conclusion of appeal proceedings. The IPAT will instead determine ex officio within a stipulated timeframe if such a right should be granted. 
   4. Independent monitoring mechanism: In compliance with the new obligations emanating from the Screening Regulation and the APR, monitoring will be carried out by the Monitoring Board for Detained Persons. The Ombudsman and the National Human Rights agency, once established, shall also be part of the monitoring process as observers. 
   5. Human resources of AWAS to be enhances to ensure there are enough representation for unaccompanied minors, to carry out the age assessment process, and to provide legal counselling upon request. 
   6. Information provision: Information provision materials were updated to align with the pact while the IPA will be increasing its staff in the information provision team.
   7. Quality control: Further enhancement of the Quality Control Unit envisaged to improve efficiency of the administrative stage of the asylum procedure.
10. Resettlement, inclusion and integration: Internal resettlement guidelines were updated to cover the whole resettlement process.