EMNews: First quarter 2026 highlights

The first quarter of 2026 has involved continued intensive work on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The European Commission has put forward various strategies within the field of migration. Several of the EMN Member Countries continued to focus on increased readmission and voluntary returns. Additionally, actions were carried out to attract and retain talent.

On 29 January, the European Commission presented the first European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, which sets out the EU’s political objectives on asylum and migration, with concrete priorities for the next five years. The strategy contains five priorities:

• stepping up migration diplomacy
• strong EU borders to enhance control and security
• a fair, firm and adaptable asylum and migration system
• more effective return and readmission
• labour and talent mobility to boost competitiveness.

On the same date the European Commission adopted its first-ever EU Visa Strategy. The Visa Strategy is built on 3 key pillars: strengthening the EU’s security, boosting competitiveness, and modern visa tools.

The European Commission also launched:

• An EU-wide awareness raising campaign ‘End Human Trafficking. Break the Invisible Chain’ to tackle human trafficking.
• The first meeting of the ‘Talent for Innovation’ platform.

On 23 February, the Council adopted the first EU-wide list of safe countries of origin alongside a revision of the safe third country concept. The common list is intended to help EU Member States process asylum applications from nationals of those countries more efficiently. On 5 March, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has clarified the calculation of detention periods under return procedures.

Some developments in EMN Member Countries

• Belgium and Algeria have signed two linked agreements, one on the readmission of irregularly staying Algerians and another providing a visa exemption for holders of Algerian diplomatic and service passports.
• Estonia became the first country whose parliament formally endorsed participation in supporting the Administrative Committee of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine with administration and financing. The Estonian Supreme Court found, in case No 5-25-79/15 of 23 March, authorities violated constitutional and international protection rights by refusing family reunification for the partner of a transgender refugee.
• France has ceased to retain original documents of asylum seekers. Original documents are instead to be verified during the interview.
• Georgia has implemented amendments to the Law on Labour Migration. Foreign nationals must now obtain a work permit before taking up employment.
• Italy has approved a decree-law which introduces a broad package of reforms on security and migration, updating rules on public security, police and judicial cooperation, among other things procedures for refusal of entry, expulsion and return.
• Poland decided on maintaining the buffer zone on the Polish-Belarusian border until 4 June 2026.
• Sweden has approved new legislation on labour migration, which among other things introduces a higher wage requirement. The new rules will enter into force on 1 June 2026.
• Austria has concluded a readmission agreement with Mongolia.