The European Parliament has approved a new list of safe countries of origin, marking a significant change in asylum procedures across the European Union. Citizens from these countries, including Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, will now face stricter rules and faster processing of asylum claims.
According to the new regulation, candidate countries for EU membership may also be classified as safe countries of origin. Exceptions apply to countries experiencing armed conflict or serious human rights violations. The overarching aim is to standardize and shorten asylum procedures within the EU, reducing administrative delays.
Faster Procedures, Stricter Rules
With the new classification, asylum seekers from these countries will face faster procedures, but the burden of proof increasingly falls on the applicants. Access to the labor market may also be limited, affecting integration prospects for new arrivals.
The regulation has faced criticism from 39 human rights organizations, including Pro Asyl and SOS Humanity. They argue that while the rules do not ease deportation, they restrict asylum seekers’ rights, particularly regarding employment opportunities, which could hinder long-term integration policies.
The new rules are part of the EU’s broader migration and asylum package and are expected to come into effect in June 2026.
