Deze Inform brengt de nationale benaderingen van de concepten "veilig land van herkomst" en "veilig derde land" in kaart, in de context van de Verordening asielprocedures die vanaf juni 2026 van toepassing is. Het vergelijkt wetgeving, beleid en praktijken, inclusief het gebruik van nationale lijsten, ad-hoc beoordelingen en versnelde asielprocedures. De Inform is opgesteld op basis van bijdragen van 26 EMN-leden en waarnemende landen.

Deze ad hoc vraag, die diende ter voorbereiding van een EMN inform, verzamelde informatie over nationale lijsten van veilige landen van herkomst en veilige derde landen, inclusief de vaststelling en het gebruik ervan. Er werd gekeken naar uitzonderingen voor specifieke regio's of categorieën aanvragers en de procedures die op hun verzoeken worden toegepast. Ook werd de toepassing van het concept 'veilig derde land' onderzocht, met inbegrip van beoordelingen, waarborgen en praktische uitdagingen. Ten slotte werd gepeild naar de gebruikte bronnen, jurisprudentie, goede praktijken en geplande aanpassingen aan de nieuwe Verordening asielprocedures.

The European Parliament has approved new EU asylum rules to enable faster processing of asylum requests. The reform establishes a common list of safe countries of origin while allowing Member States to maintain or designate additional safe countries at national level. It also clarifies the conditions under which Member States can apply the safe third country concept. While the legislation has now passed Parliament, it still needs to be formally adopted by the Council before entering into force.

The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on two key proposals to strengthen the use of safe country concepts in EU asylum rules. One addresses the safe third country concept, and the other establishes the first EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin. They aim to accelerate asylum procedures and improve the management of applications from those unlikely to require protection. Negotiations with the European Parliament, which has also endorsed the list, will follow to agree on the final texts.

On 20 May 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal to revise the rules governing the application of the safe third country concept. The proposal, which inter alia removes the requirement to establish a connection between the applicant and the safe third country, is now subject to approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It has prompted a range of reactions, including expressions of support as well as more critical assessments.

The European Commission has issued a proposal to accelerate the implementation of certain aspects of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, with the aim of helping Member States process asylum claims more quickly, particularly for applicants whose claims are likely to be unfounded. In addition, the proposal includes the establishment of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin. Human rights organisations have raised concerns, especially about the inclusion of Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, which they argue have ongoing human rights issues.

In a recent judgement in Case C‑134/23, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) clarified that Article 38 of Directive 2013/32/EU does not preclude legislation of a Member State designating a third country as generally safe for certain categories of applicants for international protection, even if that third country has suspended, in general terms and without any prospect of a contrary development, the admission or readmission of those applicants to its territory.

Fifteen European countries plead with the European Commission to go beyond the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. They push for comprehensive, mutually beneficial and durable partnerships with third countries located along the migratory routes. They also want to inter alia explore solutions aimed at rescuing migrants on the high seas and bringing them to a predetermined place of safety in a partner country outside the EU.