The new European rules on asylum and migration, known as the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, come into force. They reform the Common European Asylum System and introduce new procedures and standards for the management of applications for international protection and reception systems.
The introduction of border procedures, applicable to some asylum applicants, with shorter timeframes for examining applications and specific rules during their stay at border facilities, as well as reduced safeguards for asylum applicants.
Applicants coming from countries with an average recognition rate for international protection in the European Union of 20% or lower, except where exemptions provided by law apply. This procedure will also apply to people who provide false information or have submitted false documents to avoid identification, as well as to people considered a threat to public order. Applicants coming from a Third Country considered safe under the Procedures Regulation (former Article 42(1)(e), Regulation (EU) 2024/1348) will also be subject to an accelerated procedure.
The border procedure must, as a general rule, be completed within 12 weeks, plus a further 12 weeks for any immediate return procedure that may follow.
It means that, although the applicant is physically present on the territory of the Member State, they are legally considered not yet admitted to the territory of the Union for the purposes of examining their application.
No. Member States may adopt measures restricting the applicant’s freedom of movement during the procedure, in compliance with the conditions laid down by European law, particularly when the applicant is subject to a border procedure.
Yes. The Pact introduces a mandatory pre-entry screening, which includes identification, biometric data collection, health checks and security checks.
Member States must adapt their administrative and judicial procedures to the new European provisions and ensure adequate facilities and resources to meet the requirements established by the new Regulations and the new Directive.
