Hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers will face new rules from 12 June, when the EU’s landmark migration pact enters into force. The overhaul promises faster processing and fairer burden-sharing across member states. But not everyone is ready.
Magnus Brunner did not mince words. The Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration told MEPs at the latest LIBE committee hearing that most member states are ready for the 12 June deadline. But some will need extra weeks or months to get there.
Brunner assured MEPs that most member states are ready to implement the pact. Some countries, however, may still need additional weeks or months to finalise infrastructure, complete IT systems, or clear backlogs of asylum applications. “The situation changes from day to day,” an EU official familiar with the file said.
From crisis to common rules
Nikolas Ioannides, First Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection representing the Cyprus Presidency, called the EU Pact for Migration and Asylum “the culmination of a decade-long effort to overcome the shortcomings exposed by the migration crisis of 2015”. It was designed to ease the disproportionate pressure on frontline member states such as Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain.
Since 2024, member states have been preparing themselves for this shift. “Member states have undertaken an extraordinary amount of preparatory work over the past two years. Significant efforts have been invested in adapting reception systems, establishing new asylum procedures, strengthening administrative capacity, developing IT systems, and ensuring that the necessary operational structures are in place,” added Ioannides.
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Brunner struck a broadly optimistic tone. “A majority of the member states have reached adequate capacity for the border procedure and already have the facilities and staffing necessary,” he said. But a few still need to address practical challenges, such as finalising infrastructure, IT systems, or measures to prevent absconding. “If some things don’t work from day one, that doesn’t mean the system won’t work,” an EU official added.
A Commission report published in May showed that preparation on external borders has advanced significantly. Member states have taken steps to reduce backlogs and increase capacity. They have also invested in training and worked to align judicial systems with the new procedures. “One key lesson learned is the importance of involving the judicial authorities and ensuring preparedness across the entire process, from screening to border procedures,” Brunner said.
Gaps remain
“Member states are well advanced in adapting their national frameworks, and it develops from day to day,” Brunner told MEPs. “The Netherlands just adopted its national laws. Italy and France are using a decree to move forward.” Not everything is in place, however. “We have an issue with a couple of member states who don’t have a government at the moment, so there will be some days of postponement,” he added.
“We have an issue with a couple of member states who don’t have a government at the moment.”
— Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
On responsibility transfers, the successor to the so-called Dublin system, the Commission will assess implementation by 12 July and again by 15 October. The goal, Brunner said, is “to actually determine if the existing problems have been addressed.” The foundations are in place. The work, however, is far from over.
