The Official Journal of the European Union has published two new Regulations amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348, a key pillar of the new Common European Asylum System.
These are:
- Regulation (EU) 2026/463, concerning the application of the concept of “safe third country.”
- Regulation (EU) 2026/464, establishing a common EU list of safe countries of origin.
Both Regulations enter into force the day following their publication and are directly applicable in all Member States.
⏺️ Full text of the Regulations
Below you may access the full text of the Regulations as published in the Official Journal of the European Union:
- Regulation (EU) 2026/463, concerning the application of the concept of “safe third country.”
- Regulation (EU) 2026/464, establishing a common EU list of safe countries of origin.
⏺️ Reform of the “Safe Third Country” concept
Regulation (EU) 2026/463 introduces adjustments to the conditions under which a Member State may declare an application for international protection inadmissible based on the “safe third country” concept.
Among the main developments:
- The circumstances in which this concept may be applied are broadened.
- Greater emphasis is placed on agreements concluded between the European Union (or Member States) and third countries.
- Procedural aspects relating to admissibility and appeals are further clarified.
The reform aims to provide Member States with greater flexibility and coordination in managing asylum and international protection applications that may be examined outside EU territory, while maintaining the safeguards established under EU law.
⏺️ Common EU list of safe countries of origin
Regulation (EU) 2026/464 establishes, for the first time, a common EU list of safe countries of origin.
The initial list includes:
- Bangladesh
- Colombia
- Egypt
- India
- Kosovo
- Morocco
- Tunisia
Designation as a safe country of origin does not remove the obligation to carry out an individual assessment of each application. However, it allows Member States to apply accelerated or border procedures where appropriate, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1348.
The stated objective is to harmonize criteria across Member States and reduce divergences between existing national lists.
⏺️ How ARC Legal Abogados can assist you
The publication of these Regulations represents a significant development in the application of the safe third country concept and in the designation of safe countries of origin at the European level.
If you are currently applying for international protection, have received a decision declaring your application inadmissible, or wish to assess how these new rules may affect your situation, ARC Legal provides individualized and strategic legal analysis.
We assist you with:
– Assessing the viability of your application.
– Designing a solid procedural strategy from the outset.
– Reviewing decisions and evaluating possible appeals.
We closely monitor every legislative development so that you do not have to navigate these changes alone.
Related publications
- The EU advances Asylum reform with new rules on safe third countries
- First-time asylum applications in the EU decrease by 26% in November 2025
- Spain’s 2026 Extraordinary Regularization: Key changes in the new draft
¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Puedes encontrarlo aquí: La Unión Europea publica dos nuevos Reglamentos clave en materia 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.