Today, the Commission reports on the progress of implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in June 2024. Halfway through the transition period, significant progress has been made at both the EU level and by Member States, but further efforts are necessary to tackle remaining challenges and ensure that the EUs new robust migration management system is fully operational by June 2026.
In the Common Implementation Plan presented in June 2024, the Commission outlined the key milestones to establish the legal and operational capabilities needed to successfully implement the new legislation by June 2026.
As required under the Pact, the Commission is today reporting on the progress made on each component of the Common Implementation Plan:
- Eurodac: Significant progress has been made in establishing the renewed Eurodac database, a critical prerequisite for the functioning of all elements of the Pact. Some Member States still face challenges in setting up the new system, and the Commission, along with the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA), is monitoring developments and will continue to provide support.
- External borders: Preparations for implementing new screening and border procedures are underway. Some Member States have already achieved the required reception capacity and human resources. Challenges remain regarding the identification of locations for screening and border procedures, as well as procurement and adequate resources.
- Reception conditions: Ensuring sufficient reception capacity and adequate conditions across Member States is essential to prevent secondary movements from one EU Member State to another. Work is ongoing to reflect new reception standards and ensure sufficient capacity.
- Fair, efficient, and convergent asylum procedures: Member States are adapting to the new legal framework with EU support. Further work is needed to reduce backlogs and delays in asylum procedures, including increasing capacity and providing adequate training.
- Return procedures: Member States are closing gaps between asylum and return procedures, as required by the Pact. Negotiations on the Commissions proposal for a return Regulation are progressing and should be concluded swiftly to address remaining inefficiencies in return procedures.
- Making responsibility work: For the Pact to function, Member States need to operate based on a fair sharing of responsibility. Dublin transfers to the Member State responsible for an asylum application should take place to and from all Member States. This is essential for an effective transition to the new responsibility rules and the proper functioning of the annual solidarity cycle, which will determine solidarity contributions between Member States.
- Making solidarity work: Work continues to prepare for the first annual solidarity cycle in October 2025 and to establish the permanent solidarity mechanism by June 2026. The Commission, the European Asylum Agency (EUAA), and Member States are closely working together to gather necessary data to assess the migratory situation and determine each Member States solidarity contributions.
- Preparedness and contingency planning are needed to ensure that asylum and reception systems can function properly under all circumstances. Member States must ensure that contingency plans are fit for purpose, test them whenever possible, and ensure coherence with other contingency plans regarding borders and returns.
- New safeguards and monitoring of fundamental rights: The Pact strikes a balance between the obligations and rights of those seeking protection in the EU. National plans generally reflect this balance and incorporate new elements. Work should continue to operationalize the independent fundamental rights monitoring mechanism and free counseling.
- Integration and legal pathways: Across the EU, integration efforts show increasingly positive effects, with ongoing efforts needed in education, employment, health, and housing.
The Commission and EU agencies Frontex, EUAA, and eu-LISA are supporting Member States through practical guidance, new tools, and targeted support. In May, an additional €3 billion was made available from the EU budget to help implement the Pact and support Member States hosting displaced persons from Ukraine.
Next steps
The Commission calls on Member States to continue their efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the Pact. While progress is being made at a technical level, sustained political engagement and ownership at the national level remain essential to effectively address the identified challenges and achieve full readiness by mid-next year.
The next implementation report will be published in October 2025 as part of the first Annual Report on Migration and Asylum.
Background
The adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum (the Pact) in June 2024 marked an important milestone in the development of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The Pact reforms and further develops current rules based on a comprehensive approach that strengthens and integrates EU policies on migration, asylum, border management, and integration. The Pact creates a legal framework that balances solidarity and responsibility among Member States, in a comprehensive approach to effectively and fairly manage migration. The legislative acts of the Pact entered into force on June 11, 2024, and will apply from mid-2026.
Following the adoption of the Pact, the Commission put forward a Common Implementation Plan in June 2024, outlining the key milestones for all Member States to establish the legal and operational capabilities needed to successfully implement the new legislation. In parallel, the Commission and EU agencies provide tailor-made assistance to Member States, including both operational and financial support made available to Member States this May.
With todays Communication, the Commission informs the European Parliament and the Council about the progress made in implementing the Pact.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum will also positively impact the Commissions work to support Member States in achieving simplification objectives. Many of the new rules under the Pact simplify procedures among Member States. From a faster take-back procedure for asylum applicants to the Member State responsible for processing it, to issuing a return decision simultaneously with a negative asylum decision, there are many improvements that will reduce delays and manage migration more efficiently.
For more information
State of play on the Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum
Pact on Migration and Asylum - Common Implementation Plan
Managing migration responsibly - European Commission
Pact on Migration and Asylum – Explanatory MEMO