The European Union has unveiled a list of seven countries it now considers "safe countries of origin", aiming to streamline asylum procedures and speed up migrant returns. The move is designed to make it more difficult for people from these nations to secure asylum in the EU.
The countries designated as safe are:
Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The European Commission stated that asylum applications from nationals of these countries will now be presumed unfounded, allowing for accelerated processing and potentially faster deportations.
The list revives a similar proposal made in 2015, which was shelved after intense disputes—particularly over the inclusion of Turkey. This time, the EU has bypassed such controversy by focusing on countries seen as broadly stable.
While EU candidate countries generally meet the criteria for safe country status, exceptions will apply in situations of armed conflict or widespread unrest.
Currently, only about 20% of people ordered to leave the EU are actually returned to their countries of origin, according to EU statistics. Leaders across the bloc are under growing pressure to increase that figure in response to rising anti-migration sentiment and the electoral success of far-right parties.
The Italian government has pushed for migrants from countries deemed safe to be sent to processing centres in Albania prior to repatriation. However, the scheme has faced legal complications. Italian courts have refused to authorize the detention of migrants in Albania and have referred questions about the legality of such transfers to the European Court of Justice, which has yet to issue a ruling.
The addition of a formal EU list of safe countries could remove a key legal hurdle, with Italy hoping to apply fast-track border procedures to asylum seekers with historically low approval rates—defined as less than 20% acceptance.
The countries designated as safe are:
Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The European Commission stated that asylum applications from nationals of these countries will now be presumed unfounded, allowing for accelerated processing and potentially faster deportations.
Safe Country Status and Its Impact
Under the new guidelines, citizens from the designated countries will have a reduced chance of being granted asylum, unless they can present clear, individualized evidence of persecution.The list revives a similar proposal made in 2015, which was shelved after intense disputes—particularly over the inclusion of Turkey. This time, the EU has bypassed such controversy by focusing on countries seen as broadly stable.
While EU candidate countries generally meet the criteria for safe country status, exceptions will apply in situations of armed conflict or widespread unrest.
Currently, only about 20% of people ordered to leave the EU are actually returned to their countries of origin, according to EU statistics. Leaders across the bloc are under growing pressure to increase that figure in response to rising anti-migration sentiment and the electoral success of far-right parties.
Broader Migration Strategy
The move is part of a wider effort by the EU to crack down on irregular migration. In October, EU leaders called for faster returns, new legislation, and "innovative" solutions to the migration challenge. In response, the Commission has proposed reforming the returns process and allowing member states to establish return centres outside the EU.Italy Applauds the Decision
Italy, under the leadership of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right government, has praised the development. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called it a "success for the Italian government", saying Italy had long campaigned for stricter rules on asylum eligibility.The Italian government has pushed for migrants from countries deemed safe to be sent to processing centres in Albania prior to repatriation. However, the scheme has faced legal complications. Italian courts have refused to authorize the detention of migrants in Albania and have referred questions about the legality of such transfers to the European Court of Justice, which has yet to issue a ruling.
The addition of a formal EU list of safe countries could remove a key legal hurdle, with Italy hoping to apply fast-track border procedures to asylum seekers with historically low approval rates—defined as less than 20% acceptance.
