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In a bold move to streamline asylum procedures and speed up deportations, the European Union on Wednesday released a list of seven nations it now considers “safe countries of origin.” The classification allows EU member states to presume that asylum claims from nationals of these countries are unlikely to succeed, thus fast-tracking the return process.
The list includes Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Aim: Faster Processing Amid Backlogs and Public Pressure
The proposal, announced by EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, is part of a broader effort to tackle backlogs in asylum applications and address the growing public and political pressure over irregular migration flows.
“Many member states are facing a significant backlog of asylum applications,” Brunner stated. “So anything we can do now to support faster asylum decisions is essential.”
By categorizing these seven countries as “safe,” the EU will allow governments to process applications more quickly, assuming that individuals from these countries do not face general persecution and are therefore unlikely to qualify for asylum.
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Legal Path Forward: Individual Assessments Still Required
While the measure is seen as a way to expedite returns and relieve overburdened asylum systems, the European Commission emphasized that asylum seekers from these countries will not be rejected automatically.
Each case must still be assessed individually, and existing safeguards for vulnerable applicants will remain intact, according to EU legal standards and international obligations.
The proposal must now be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before taking effect.
A Step Toward Harmonising Asylum Rules Across the Bloc
Although several EU countries already maintain their own lists of “safe” nations — France, for instance, includes Mongolia, Serbia, and Cape Verde — this new EU-wide list is intended to harmonise the asylum system across the 27-member bloc.
States will be allowed to add countries to the EU list, but not subtract from it, ensuring a consistent minimum standard across all nations.
The idea is not new: the EU floated a similar plan in 2015, but it stalled amid controversy, particularly regarding the inclusion of Turkey, a nation that remains a contentious candidate for EU membership.
Human Rights Groups Push Back
The new designation has already sparked criticism from rights advocates. EuroMed Rights, a coalition of human rights organizations, condemned the move, warning that some of the countries on the list have “documented rights abuses and limited protections”.
“Labelling them ‘safe’ is misleading — & dangerous,” the group wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Critics argue that this approach could jeopardize vulnerable individuals who may face persecution in their home countries despite the general classification of safety.
Context: Irregular Migration and Political Pressures
The decision comes amid mounting electoral and political pressure in Europe, as hard-right parties continue to make gains across the continent, often campaigning on anti-immigration platforms.
Although irregular border crossings into the EU fell 38% in 2024, reaching 239,000 according to Frontex, the EU’s border agency, migration remains a highly contentious issue.
In October, countries including Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands led a call for new legislation to increase returns and explore “innovative solutions” to counter irregular migration — including the outsourcing of migrant return centres outside EU borders.
Italy Applauds the Move
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi hailed the list as a victory for Rome, calling it “a success for the Italian government.” Italy has been a vocal proponent of stricter migration controls, especially as it remains one of the main entry points for migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean.
The European Commission also highlighted that EU candidate nations — including countries like Albania and Serbia — could be considered safe unless ongoing conflict or instability, such as in Ukraine, makes that designation inappropriate.
Return Rates Still Low: Less Than 20% Deported
Despite calls for stricter migration controls, EU data reveals that fewer than 20% of people ordered to leave the bloc are actually returned to their countries of origin. Logistical hurdles, lack of cooperation from origin countries, and legal appeals often delay or prevent deportations.
Last month, the EU unveiled a return system reform proposal that allows for migrant return centres to be set up outside the EU, mirroring controversial models used by the UK and Australia.
What’s Next?
As the proposal heads to the European Parliament and Council for approval, debates are expected to intensify between those advocating for efficiency in migration management and those warning against the erosion of asylum protections.
The final decision could shape the EU’s approach to asylum for years to come — setting a tone not only for migration but for how the union defines human rights, safety, and solidarity in an increasingly divided global landscape.
