What the EU does
Migration and asylum policy is key for the EU’s internal security, border management, economic growth, and respect of international law and human rights.
The EU’s approach to managing migration and establishing a common asylum system at the EU level focuses on four main areas
- Improving security at external borders, through more robust screenings, a comprehensive EU-wide database to identify everyone who enters the EU, and a mandatory border procedure.
- Fast and efficient procedures, with common EU standards for asylum international protection and preventing abuses of the system.
- An effective system of solidarity and responsibility, where no EU country is left alone under pressure, with clear rules to avoid migrants moving irregularly from one country to another.
- Building tailored anti-smuggling partnerships with non-EU countries and facilitating legal migration and recruitment through an EU-wide platform.
Facts about migration and asylum in the EU
Areas of action
Rules managing asylum and migration in the EU
EU’s common system for asylum
Facilitating resettlement, recruitment, study and research, as well as family reunification
Promoting the full participation of non-EU citizens into EU society and economy
Actions to stop smuggling and reduce irregular migration
EU actions to support Member States and partners on migration
Key achievements
- With the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the EU is better securing control of its external borders. We are making asylum, border and return procedures quicker and more effective, with stricter time limits and more stringent rules to limit abusive or subsequent applications, with the necessary guarantees for individuals.
- Member States will support each other using a flexible but permanent solidarity mechanism. Each of them will be able to choose the type of solidarity that they wish to provide. The EU is now better equipped to manage migration.
- The Pact includes several protections to ensure migrants’ fundamental rights are respected. These include common asylum and screening procedures, checks for vulnerable people, and independent monitoring. Special attention is given to those most at risk, especially families with children.
- Many global partnerships have been concluded covering issues such as economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, better migration management, and security.
- The EU Talent Pool, the first platform to facilitate international recruitment, offers opportunities for non-EU job seekers across all skill levels in EU-wide shortage occupations. At the same time, it supports EU employers while fostering human capital development in partner countries.
In focus
In January 2026, the Commission presented a five-year strategy on migration and asylum. It will guide future EU work in this area, helping to reduce illegal arrivals, while at the same time encouraging legal pathways to the EU. To achieve this, the strategy identifies five priorities
- stronger cooperation on migration
- strong EU borders to enhance control and security
- a firm, fair and adaptable asylum and migration system
- more effective return and readmission
- attracting workers and skills
The Commission also presented the EU’s first-ever visa strategy. This strategy focuses on strengthening security, boosting prosperity and competitiveness and making visa tools more modern.
This page was last updated on 12 March 2026