EMN inform on the application of safe countries of origin and safe third countries

The EMN inform “Safe countries of origin and safe third countries: criteria for identifying and examining applications in light of the new Asylum Procedure Regulation (EU) 2024/1348” compares the application of safe countries of origin and safe third countries in 25 of the EMN Member Countries and Serbia. The inform aims to provide an overview of current national approaches to safe country of origin and safe third country concepts and their relevance for the implementation of the Asylum Procedure Regulation from June 2026. An EU list of safe countries of origin has been established under the Asylum Procedure Regulation.

The EMN inform describes the different decision-making processes behind the assessment of which countries qualify as safe countries of origin and safe third countries and how the asylum procedure for an asylum seeker is affected if the concepts are to be applied.

Application of the concepts in EMN countries

The application of the concepts varies between the EMN countries.

• 19 of the EMN Member Countries exercise a national list of safe countries of origin.
• 20 EMN Member Countries employ an accelerated procedure for individuals who are assessed to have a safe country of origin.
• Some of the participating countries consider that certain countries of origin can be considered safe for a specific group of individuals or that certain parts of a country of origin can be considered safe.
• Of the 25 participating EMN Member Countries and Serbia, 21 countries have provisions in national law regulating the use of the safe third countries concept

With the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, entering into force on 12 June 2026, new rules will be put in place. The new legislation is intended to provide faster and more efficient asylum procedures for those individuals where the concepts are to be applied. An EU list of safe countries of origin has been established under the Asylum Procedure Regulation.