In a sweeping move to tighten migration policies, the European Commission has designated seven countries as “safe countries of origin,” enabling European Union (EU) member states to fast-track and likely reject asylum claims from their nationals.

Framed as a response to mounting political pressure and overstretched asylum systems, the proposal is poised to accelerate deportations and reshape the bloc’s asylum landscape starting in 2026.

New list signals shift in migration strategy

On April 16th, the European Commission announced a list of seven nations deemed “safe countries of origin.” Migrants from these nations will now face quicker, more stringent asylum procedures.

The list includes Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia.

This designation means that people from these countries are unlikely to qualify for asylum. Applications will be reviewed in as little as three months instead of the usual six.

The goal is to return rejected applicants “quickly,” according to the Commission’s statement.

Why EU made change

The updated rules are part of a broader plan to fix a system long seen as broken.

After more than a million migrants entered Europe in 2015, efforts to reform asylum laws stalled. A new pact passed in 2023 revived these efforts, but implementation has moved slowly.

Now, the Commission said that member states face overwhelming backlogs. “Anything we can do now to support faster asylum decisions is essential,” said Magnus Brunner, the EU’s Commissioner for Migration.

Pressure to act grew over the last year. Right-wing parties in countries like Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands demanded tougher rules. Many governments also wanted to show voters that they can control borders before European elections.

What it means for asylum seekers

In theory, the new rules will not eliminate an individual’s right to seek asylum. Migrants can still present evidence if they face risks despite their home country’s designation as “safe.”

For example, minorities or activists who face persecution can still qualify for protection.

However, in practice, critics feared that faster reviews could lead to wrongful deportations. With less time to gather evidence, applicants may struggle to make their case.

The new rules also allow returns to “safe third countries” even if asylum seekers have no strong ties there.

If passed, the legislation would apply across the EU by 2026. However, national governments can expand their own lists or add stricter measures.

Italy pushes plan with Albania

Italy’s influence affected much of the reform. Since 2023, it has tested offshore processing for migrants from safe countries.

Under a deal with Albania, Italian authorities intercept boats at sea and transfer adult male migrants to Albanian detention centers.

Courts have challenged the legality of this approach. Judges in Italy ruled that designating countries like Egypt and Bangladesh as “safe” was not enough to justify automatic detention.

In response, Italy converted one center in Albania into a deportation facility.

Now that the EU is backing Italy’s classification with a bloc-wide list, its model could gain momentum.

Safety doesn’t mean safety for all

The Commission stressed that being on the list does not mean a country is safe for everyone.

“Each application must be assessed individually,” Brunner said. The law still allows applicants to appeal in national courts​.

Still, critics noted that the list could discourage people from applying in the first place. It may also shift focus away from humanitarian needs and toward migration management.

The Commission said that the list is “dynamic.” Countries may be added or removed depending on conditions on the ground.

The current list excludes countries at war, under EU sanctions, or with high asylum approval rates—above 20%.

2026 and beyond

Before the plan takes effect, it must pass the European Parliament and Council. That process could take months, with first discussions starting April 24th in the Asylum Working Group​.

The Commission is also reviewing its rules on “safe third countries.”

A new proposal could remove the requirement for a personal connection between the asylum seeker and the third country. That shift would allow even broader use of fast-track deportations.

If adopted, the EU could send asylum seekers to countries they have only passed through briefly—or never visited at all. Human rights groups warned that this could lower protections and undermine the right to seek asylum.

Travel easier, stay harder

For short-term travelers, the new list of “safe countries of origin” wo;; change much—at least, not right away. Visitors heading to the EU for tourism or business still rely on standard entry systems like Schengen visas and, soon, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Scheduled to launch at the end of 2026, ETIAS will screen travelers from visa-exempt countries before arrival. While the fast-track asylum proposal does not alter ETIAS rules, it signals tighter control across the board.

For long-term visitors or migrants, especially those from the seven listed countries, things get trickier.

Students, job seekers, and family members hoping to stay beyond a short trip may face added scrutiny. If their legal status lapses or if they apply for asylum, they now risk accelerated procedures and faster deportation.

With application timelines cut in half and recognition rates under 5% for most listed nations, claiming asylum will be an uphill climb.

Moreover, as countries adjust national procedures to match the EU-wide list, migrants could see uneven enforcement across borders—especially during the gap before the rules take full effect in 2026. 

In the meantime, any irregular entry or expired visa may come with harsher, quicker consequences.

Less room for discretion, more pressure to comply

For EU governments, the new rulebook narrows flexibility and raises expectations. The Commission’s push to standardize the “safe country” concept across all 27 member states leaves little room for diverging national practices.

States must now process certain asylum claims on a fast track, even if domestic courts have previously questioned whether countries like Bangladesh or Egypt truly qualify as safe.

The move also turns up the heat politically. Governments struggling with crowded reception centers and rising far-right pressure now have official EU backing to deport faster.

That support may embolden new bilateral deals, like Italy’s controversial arrangement with Albania, where migrants are held offshore. Other nations may follow suit.

However, the uniform list also creates friction.

Countries with softer stances on asylum may resist the speed and severity of the new process. They will need to revise legal frameworks, retrain border staff, and potentially defend fast-track denials in court.

For nations already overwhelmed, this could mean front-loading resources just to keep pace.

Long term, the policy shift reflects a broader tilt in EU migration management—less about integrating newcomers, more about filtering them out. The message to migrants is clear: arrive with strong legal grounds or be prepared to leave quickly.

Europe charts a new course on migration

With its designation of seven countries as “safe,” the EU has signaled a dramatic pivot toward expedited asylum processing and stricter deportation measures. 

As member states grapple with growing backlogs and political pressure, this move aims to streamline procedures while preserving individual safeguards.

However, the policy’s real test lies ahead—when principles of protection meet the reality of rapid returns. As the proposal enters legislative scrutiny, its impact will reverberate across borders and courtrooms alike.

In this pivotal moment, the EU must balance speed with justice, lest it sacrifice its values in the name of efficiency.