The European Parliament has adopted new regulations aimed at accelerating the processing of asylum requests in the European Union. The changes include establishing an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin and clarifying how the safe third country concept can be applied.
Under the new rules, nationals from Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia will have their asylum applications processed more quickly. These countries are now considered safe for their own citizens unless applicants can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution or risk of serious harm if returned.
EU candidate countries will also generally be treated as safe countries of origin unless there are specific concerns such as ongoing violence, high asylum recognition rates in the EU (above 20%), or economic sanctions linked to fundamental rights issues.
The European Commission will oversee conditions in these listed countries and candidate nations. If situations change, the Commission can recommend temporary suspension or permanent removal from the list. Member states may add further countries to their national lists as safe countries of origin.
Regarding the safe third country concept, EU member states can declare an application inadmissible if certain conditions are met: if there is a connection between the applicant and a third country (such as family ties or prior residence), if the applicant passed through that country on their way to the EU and could have sought protection there, or if there is an agreement for that third country to admit asylum seekers—except in cases involving unaccompanied minors. Agreements with third countries must require them to assess any protection requests on their merits.
Some provisions—including exceptions for parts of a country’s territory or specific groups—can be implemented before full legislation takes effect in June 2026. Accelerated border procedures may also apply early for applicants whose home countries have low recognition rates for asylum within the EU.
Rapporteur Alessandro Ciriani (ECR, Italy) stated: “The list of safe countries of origin is a political turning point in the EU’s management of migration. This legislation brings the period of ambiguity to an end and sets out a clear course: common rules, faster and more effective procedures, protection of the right to asylum for those entitled to it, and a firm approach to tackling abuse. The EU is equipping itself with clear, enforceable rules based on shared responsibility.”
Rapporteur Lena Düpont (EPP, Germany) said: “With today’s vote on the concept of safe third countries, we are delivering another key building block for a functioning, credible asylum system. By enabling manifestly unfounded asylum applications to be rejected more quickly and efficiently in the future, we are speeding up asylum procedures, relieving the burden on member state systems, and helping people avoid being stuck in legal limbo for years.”
The measures were approved by substantial majorities: 408 votes in favor versus 184 against (with 60 abstentions) for creating an EU list of safe countries; and 396 votes in favor versus 226 against (with 30 abstentions) regarding applying the safe third country concept. The agreements still require formal adoption by the Council before coming into force.
