The European Parliament has formally approved two key instruments in the field of asylum: the creation of a common European Union list of safe countries of origin and the reform of the safe third country concept. This represents a significant political and legal step forward in the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
With this vote, Parliament clearly supports a more streamlined approach: accelerating the processing of certain international protection applications and providing Member States with more harmonized tools to manage asylum across the European Union.
⏺️ What has been approved?
On the one hand, the establishment of a European list of safe countries of origin. This list will allow asylum applications submitted by nationals of the listed countries to be processed under accelerated procedures. The assessment will continue to be individual, but the general framework starts from the presumption that those countries, in principle, provide sufficient guarantees.
On the other hand, a new regulation has been adopted to facilitate the application of the safe third country concept. This mechanism allows an asylum application to be declared inadmissible when the applicant can receive effective protection in a country other than their country of origin. The reform makes the criteria for its application more flexible, while maintaining essential safeguards such as respect for the principle of non-refoulement and the requirement that effective and genuine protection be available.
Both instruments are part of the early implementation of provisions included in the Pact on Migration and Asylum, whose general application is scheduled to begin in June 2026.
💡 In ARC Legal Abogados, we analyzed this initiative on our website when it was approved by the European Commission. You can read the article here: Safe Countries of Origin and Safe Third Countries: The New Roadmap for Asylum in the EU
⏺️ Next steps
The texts must now be formally adopted by the Council of the European Union. Once adopted and published in the Official Journal of the European Union, they will enter into force on the day following their publication.
Certain provisions may apply before June 2026, partially anticipating the full entry into force of the new asylum system established under the Pact.
⏺️ How ARC Legal Abogados can assist you
At ARC Legal Abogados, we provide comprehensive legal assistance in immigration and international protection matters, supporting our clients at every stage of the process, from the initial viability assessment to administrative and judicial defense.
We analyze each case individually, assessing risks, strategy, and possible legal alternatives (asylum, subsidiary protection, humanitarian residence, exceptional circumstances permits, or other residence and stay options). Our approach goes beyond formal requirements: we review background, documentation, migration history, and the country-of-origin context to build a strong and coherent application.
We also represent clients in appeals against negative decisions, inadmissibility rulings, or accelerated procedures, as well as in complex situations requiring medium-term strategic planning.
Our goal is to provide clarity, legal certainty, and a realistic roadmap to every person who places their trust in us.
Related publications
- The EU advances Asylum reform with new rules on safe third countries
- Spain’s international protection system closes 2025 with record figures
- Asylum in the EU in October 2025: Fewer new applications, ongoing structural pressure
¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Puedes encontrarlo aquí: El Parlamento Europeo respalda la reforma del sistema de asilo
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is subject to continuous interpretative and administrative changes. At ARC Legal we strive to provide up-to-date and verified information based on official sources, but we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional before starting any application or making legal decisions. If you need personalized advice, feel free to contact our firm.