The EMN annual report on migration and asylum

The EMN annual report “Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO) 2024”, was presented at a digital event attended by over 250 experts, decision-makers and stakeholders all across Europe. The report provides a comparative overview of migration and asylum developments in 30 EMN Member and Observer Countries in 2024. For the first time, an interactive summary was launched, showcasing key findings, data and statistical trends from Eurostat – not least regarding an ongoing digitalisation for more efficient migration management. The developments in Sweden include a new strategy for global development cooperation on migration, and proposals for stricter requirements for acquisition of citizenship, among others. In this article, some of the report’s key insights and figures are summarised.

Background

In 2024, geopolitical instability continued in both the EU neighbourhood and beyond, with several crises and local conflicts exerting a significant impact on migration. EMN countries have worked to streamline their asylum systems and reception centres. The labour market and integration remained priority areas, with focus on attracting and retaining third-country nationals in shortage occupations sectors. Disparities in integration are still evident in employment, education, housing and social inclusion.

During the year, a number of legislative amendments were implemented at both EU and national levels.

• The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. In 2024, the Council of Ministers adopted the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum with a joint implementation plan. Member States are continuing to gradually implement a series of legislative measures, including the Asylum Procedure Regulation, the Screening Regulation and the Eurodac Regulation. The Pact will enter into application in June 2026.
• Temporary Protection Directive. Extension of temporary protection until March 2026, with a focus on transitioning to long-term solutions.
• Schengen and border procedures. Border controls with Bulgaria and Romania have been lifted from 1 January 2025. The new Screening Regulation has been adopted.
• International protection and protection for vulnerable groups. The revised Anti-Trafficking Directive ((EU) 2024/1712) has been adopted.
• Voluntary return and reintegration. Advice and funding have been strengthened, with the support of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), in order to promote sustainable reintegration.

Within the international partnership, focus was on strengthening cooperation on migration. In 2024, several measures were implemented to develop IT systems and their interoperability in order to improve efficiency of migration management.

“We expect many areas within migration and asylum to become even more relevant in the future. One of the key trends, which we have also witnessed in recent years, is the continued digitalisation of the migration sector,” said Hans Lemmens, National Coordinator at EMN Netherlands.

European outlook

Seventeen EMN Member and Observer countries have tightened regulations in areas relating to legal migration and asylum, integration, the acquisition of citizenship and higher expectations regarding self-reliance and means of support.

• France and the Netherlands have implemented legislative amendments regarding the processing of personal data to increase the use of biometric data in automated border controls. Norway invested NOK 100 million in the modernisation of their immigration administration IT systems and digital infrastructure.
• France, Italy and Poland introduced support to enable people with temporary protection to transition to other types of residence permits.
• Germany now permits multiple citizenship, whilst in Sweden, Portugal and Moldova, stricter requirements for acquisition of citizenship were proposed.
• Finland and Sweden introduced amendments to their immigration legislation regarding entry bans.
• The Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden tightened the rules on residence permits for study purposes, including the use of higher fees.
• Austria, Germany, France and Sweden linked integration more closely to legal residence status and access to welfare services. France introduced language and civic knowledge requirements for residence permits.
• Italy and Latvia offered return assistance, even in cases of forced return, whilst Malta and Sweden increased support for voluntary return.
• The European Commission allocated € 12 million for joint projects to combat human trafficking. Several EMN Countries took measures to improve the identification and reception of unaccompanied children and other vulnerable groups.
• Belgium amended its family reunification law and strengthened the rights of stateless individuals.
• Bulgaria, Cyprus and Sweden updated guidelines on age assessment.
• Norway, in cooperation with ICMPD*, opened a migrant resource centre in Iraq to strengthen the capacity of local authorities.
• France and Sweden adopted new national strategies on global development cooperation in the field of migration.
  
  

Key figures and insights from the report

• Residence permits. The number of residence permits granted to third-country nationals in the EU and Norway increased by 7% in 2023 compared with 2022. Nationals of Ukraine, Belarus and India top the list.
• Resident third-country nationals. In 2024, approximately 29.3 million third-country nationals were living in the EU and Norway, representing 6.4% of the total population (+8% from the previous year). Malta has the highest percentage of the total population (20.4%), whilst Poland, Romania and Slovakia have the lowest (at around 1%).
• Asylum applications. First-time applications for international protection in the EU and Norway fell by 13% in 2024. The highest numbers of applicants came from Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan. Germany, Spain, Italy and France received the most first-time applications. Poland reported the largest increase in applications (+87%, most from Ukraine), followed by Ireland (+39%) and Greece (+19%).
• Temporary Protection Directive. By 31 March 2025, over 4.3 million refugees from Ukraine had been granted temporary protection in the EU and Norway.
• Citizenship. Around 955 000 third-country nationals acquired EU or Norwegian citizenship in 2023, an increase of 7% compared to 2022. Individuals from Syria acquired the largest number citizenships.
• Trafficking in human beings. The number of third-country nationals registered in the EU and Norway as victims of trafficking in human beings increased by approximately 11% in 2023 as compared to 2022. At the same time, the number of residence permits issued to these individuals rose by 43% in 2023.
• Irregular migration. The number of irregular border crossings fell by 38% in 2024. Around 124 000 were refused entry to the EU and Norway, around 922 000 were staying illegally (the lowest figure since 2021), around 457 000 were ordered to leave the EU and Norway, and around 111 000 returned to a country outside the EU and Norway.
• Returns. The total number of returns in EMN Member Countries and Norway increased significantly by 16% in 2024 compared to 2023. The proportion of voluntary returns rose from 44.6% in 2023 to 52.4% in 2024. Voluntary returns with financial or other forms of support accounted for the majority of all returns and increased from 72.5% in 2023 to 74.5% in 2024.
  

  “In order that the EMN can continue providing objective information, we need to become more flexible and meet increased demand for comparative migration data. It is also important to involve national and international actors, EU agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations and civil society in the public debate on migration. The aim is to reach a wider audience with reliable, high-quality information – not to engage in advocacy work,” concluded Magnus Ovilius, Chair of the EMN and Head of Sector Forecasting, Preparedness and Policy Monitoring, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission.

*ICMPD stands for International Centre for Migration and Policy Development