EMNews during the third quarter 2025

News on developments in EMN Countries during the period July–September 2025 can be found in the latest EMNews. During this period, a new proposal was put forward for the long-term budget for 2028–2034, with a threefold increase in funding for migration and border management, and reinforced Europol’s mandate to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) will open a new regional command office aimed at strengthening border security and leading border control operations in eight countries, including Sweden.

On 25 September 2025, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement with the aim of reinforcing Europol’s role in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. . This provisional agreement will amend Europol’s mandate (Europol – the European Union law enforcement agency). This involves providing Member States with stronger support through improved information exchange, increased resources and enhanced cooperation both between Member States and at EU level. The provisional agreement is subject to confirmation by the Council and the European Parliament.

The European Commission has presented its proposal for a new and ambitious long-term budget for the EU for the period 2028–2034, amounting to almost EUR 2 trillion. The budget is estimated at 1.26 % of the EU average gross national income for this period. Under the proposal, funding for migration, border management and internal security will be tripled, enabling Member States to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum , digitalise border controls and strengthen law enforcement in line with the recently-adopted ProtectEU: European Internal Security Strategy.

In addition to this news at EU level, the latest edition of EMNews also features news from EMN Countries. A selection of these features is provided below.

Selection of measures taken in EMN Countries

• Belgium is introducing stricter rules on family reunification and increasing fees for appeals before the Belgian Council for Alien Law Litigation.
• Estonia is launching a new tool for migration statistics. A new, Frontex regional command office is opening in Tallinn with the aim of strengthening border security and improving cooperation across the region in eight countries, including Sweden.
• Ireland is introducing improved support for vulnerable groups.
• Cyprus is starting accepting applications for the EU Blue Card for highly skilled workers in sectors such as information and communication technology, pharmaceutical and the maritime sectors.
• The Netherlands is increasing fines for labour exploitation and introducing tougher fines for companies.
• Greece is beginning to use AI technology for screening within the international protection procedure.
• Norway is seeing a significant increase in Ukrainians seeking protection, particularly among young men aged 18–22.
• In Sweden, the Swedish Migration Agency lifted its freeze on decisions on Syrian asylum applications.