The European Parliament has adopted changes to EU asylum procedure regulations, endorsing the creation of the first EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. The move is intended to accelerate the processing of asylum applications and further harmonise procedures across member states.
With 408 votes in favour, 184 against and 60 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament backed the new list. In a separate vote, lawmakers also approved changes to the regulation governing the application of the safe third country concept, with 396 in favour, 226 against and 30 abstentions.
Under the new framework, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia will be considered safe countries of origin at EU level. Asylum applications submitted by nationals of these countries are expected to be fast-tracked. The regulation provides that it will be up to individual applicants to demonstrate that the designation should not apply to their specific case due to a well-founded fear of persecution or risk of serious harm if returned.
EU accession candidate countries will generally be treated as safe countries of origin unless certain conditions apply. Exceptions may be made in cases involving indiscriminate violence linked to armed conflict, an EU-wide asylum recognition rate exceeding 20 percent, or economic sanctions imposed due to actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
The European Commission will monitor developments in listed countries as well as candidate states. If circumstances change, it may temporarily suspend a country’s designation as safe or propose its permanent removal from the list. Member states will retain the authority to designate additional safe countries of origin at national level.
EU countries may refuse to examine an asylum application if the person could seek protection in another safe country outside the EU. In that case, the application can be declared inadmissible. This can happen in three situations:
First, if the person has a clear connection to that country, such as family members there, if they previously lived there, or if they have strong cultural or language ties.
Second, if the person travelled through that country on the way to the EU and could have applied for protection there.
Third, if there is a formal agreement between the EU or a member state and that country allowing asylum seekers to be sent there. This does not apply to unaccompanied minors.
Any such agreement must require the third country to properly examine the person’s request for protection. The third country must assess the case and decide whether protection should be granted.
The reform has drawn criticism from civil society groups and members of Parliament. Thirty-nine search and rescue organisations and human rights groups, including Pro Asyl and SOS Humanity, had urged lawmakers to reject the list.
Germany's Green MEP Erik Marquardt also voiced concerns, arguing that deportations would not become easier under the new rules, as removals are already possible without such a designation. He said that asylum seekers from the affected countries would face reduced rights, including limited access to the labour market, raising concerns from an integration perspective.
Rapporteur Alessandro Ciriani ((ECR, Italy)) described the list as a political turning point in EU migration management, stating that it establishes common rules, faster procedures and a firm approach to tackling abuse. Rapporteur Lena Düpont (EPP, Germany) said the vote marked another key step toward a functioning and credible asylum system, enabling manifestly unfounded applications to be rejected more quickly and easing pressure on member state systems.
The regulation forms part of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is scheduled to take effect in June 2026.
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