Brussels, February 12, 2026 – The European Union has taken a major step toward reforming its asylum system, as the European Parliament approved a common list of “safe countries of origin” that will apply across all member states. The move is part of a broader effort to speed up asylum decisions and create more uniform procedures throughout the bloc.Under the new regulation, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia are officially classified as safe countries. Applications from nationals of these states will now be processed under accelerated procedures, with authorities expected to reach decisions more quickly than under standard asylum processes.Faster procedures and stricter requirementsThe new classification will significantly change how asylum claims from these countries are handled. In addition to shorter processing times, the burden of proof will increasingly fall on applicants, who must demonstrate individual risks or exceptional circumstances to justify protection.In many cases, access to the labor market during the application process may also be restricted, reflecting the EU’s aim to discourage unfounded claims while prioritizing cases considered more likely to qualify for international protection.The regulation also establishes a general principle that EU candidate countries may be treated as safe countries of origin. Exceptions will apply in situations where a country is affected by armed conflict, widespread violence, or serious human rights violations.Part of broader migration reformEU officials say the measure is designed to harmonize asylum practices among member states, reduce administrative backlogs, and prevent differences in national systems from encouraging secondary migration within the bloc.The new rules form part of the EU’s wider Migration and Asylum Pact, which is scheduled to enter into force in June 2026. The reform package aims to strengthen border management, improve responsibility-sharing among member states, and make asylum procedures more efficient.Human rights groups raise concernsHowever, the decision has drawn criticism from civil society. A coalition of 39 humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Pro Asyl and SOS Humanity, warned that the policy could weaken safeguards for asylum seekers.According to these groups, the new framework does little to make deportations more effective, as returns were already possible under existing rules. Instead, they argue, the changes risk limiting applicants’ rights—particularly regarding access to employment—which could undermine long-term integration efforts.As the EU moves toward implementing its new migration framework, the debate continues between the need for faster, more controlled asylum systems and the obligation to ensure adequate protection for those genuinely in need. Post navigationBelgian Police Raid EU Commission Offices in Brussels Over 2024 Property Sale Australia hero story/ 13-year-old swims 4km to save his family, police release dramatic emergency call
Brussels, February 12, 2026 – The European Union has taken a major step toward reforming its asylum system, as the European Parliament approved a common list of “safe countries of origin” that will apply across all member states. The move is part of a broader effort to speed up asylum decisions and create more uniform procedures throughout the bloc.Under the new regulation, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia are officially classified as safe countries. Applications from nationals of these states will now be processed under accelerated procedures, with authorities expected to reach decisions more quickly than under standard asylum processes.Faster procedures and stricter requirementsThe new classification will significantly change how asylum claims from these countries are handled. In addition to shorter processing times, the burden of proof will increasingly fall on applicants, who must demonstrate individual risks or exceptional circumstances to justify protection.In many cases, access to the labor market during the application process may also be restricted, reflecting the EU’s aim to discourage unfounded claims while prioritizing cases considered more likely to qualify for international protection.The regulation also establishes a general principle that EU candidate countries may be treated as safe countries of origin. Exceptions will apply in situations where a country is affected by armed conflict, widespread violence, or serious human rights violations.Part of broader migration reformEU officials say the measure is designed to harmonize asylum practices among member states, reduce administrative backlogs, and prevent differences in national systems from encouraging secondary migration within the bloc.The new rules form part of the EU’s wider Migration and Asylum Pact, which is scheduled to enter into force in June 2026. The reform package aims to strengthen border management, improve responsibility-sharing among member states, and make asylum procedures more efficient.Human rights groups raise concernsHowever, the decision has drawn criticism from civil society. A coalition of 39 humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Pro Asyl and SOS Humanity, warned that the policy could weaken safeguards for asylum seekers.According to these groups, the new framework does little to make deportations more effective, as returns were already possible under existing rules. Instead, they argue, the changes risk limiting applicants’ rights—particularly regarding access to employment—which could undermine long-term integration efforts.As the EU moves toward implementing its new migration framework, the debate continues between the need for faster, more controlled asylum systems and the obligation to ensure adequate protection for those genuinely in need.