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These changes allow for more efficient deportation of applicants to countries where they can seek asylum, regardless of any personal ties. The new rules will come into effect on June 12, 2026, as part of the agreed reform of the asylum system in Europe.
Under the new conditions, EU states will be able to send people to third countries even in the absence of relatives or other connections there. Previously, there was a requirement for "close ties," such as long-term residence or having relatives. Now, it is sufficient to have a signed agreement between the EU member state and the destination country. This approach has already been applied by the United Kingdom and is referred to as the "Rwandan model."
Additionally, a unified list of "safe" countries of origin has been approved, which will be used by all EU countries. This list includes countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kosovo, Colombia, India, and Bangladesh.
However, there is no automatic denial of asylum; each application will continue to undergo mandatory verification.
Moreover, countries aspiring to join the European Union will be considered "safe" for their citizens. These include, in particular, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and Turkey. However, exceptions may occur in the event of sanctions imposed by the EU or the outbreak of military conflicts in these countries.
