The Commission launches the second annual cycle of migration management under the Pact on Migration and Asylum

The European Commission is launching the second Annual Cycle of Migration Management, thereby fulfilling a key component of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. This cycle builds on the successful implementation of the first Annual Migration Management Cycle and on the solid results of the EU’s work on migration: a substantial reduction in irregular migration, greater cooperation between Member States and effective partnerships with third countries. The Annual Migration Management Cycle is based on the fair balance between responsibility and solidarity set out in the Pact.

The annual cycle includes an annual overview of the asylum and migration situation in the EU, a decision assessing and determining the migration situation in each Member State, and a proposal for the Annual Solidarity Fund for the following year, to be adopted by the Council. The Commission’s assessment is evidence-based and draws on data and information provided by national authorities and EU agencies, taking into account the situation and needs of the Member States.

Second European Annual Report on Asylum and Migration

The migration situation in the EU has continued to improve significantly, confirming that the EU’s new approach to migration – with a new legal framework, robust border protection and strong migration diplomacy – is delivering substantial and sustained positive results. Illegal border crossings have fallen by more than half over the last two years, with a further drop of more than a third in the first half of this year. Unauthorised movements (-22% in 2025) and asylum applications (-19% in 2025) have also fallen significantly, whilst the return rate across the EU has risen to over 30 per cent.

Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, states that:

“Our reforms are delivering results: irregular migration continues to fall significantly. With our new system, we have greater control over who can enter Europe, who can stay and who must leave. Today, we are demonstrating the effectiveness of our rules in practice.”

The report also covers the significant progress made by Member States in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which has been fully in force since last June: the new Eurodac system is operational in all Member States; Member States are using the new control and border procedures, and a third of all registered asylum applications have been processed through accelerated or border procedures since the Pact came into force; and the implementation of the first Solidarity Fund for 2026 is progressing as planned.

At the same time, ongoing work is needed to ensure that all components of the Pact are fully operational, particularly with regard to Member States’ responsibility obligations. Member States have made significant progress towards ensuring the full implementation of the new rules, although further efforts are required to address the remaining challenges.

Commission Decision determining levels of migratory pressure

Based on the conclusions of the Annual Report and using the quantitative and qualitative criteria set out in the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, the Commission determines that: 

Greece and Cyprus are experiencing migratory pressure due to the disproportionate number of arrivals recorded over the past year. Italy is also facing this pressure due to the high number of arrivals following search and rescue operations at sea. Furthermore, taking into account the general migration situation and, in particular, the incident in Ceuta, Spain is also experiencing migratory pressure. Consequently, these four Member States will be eligible to access the Solidarity Fund, provided that the rules on responsibility continue to be applied. The Commission also notes that, whilst Italy has made progress in applying these rules, further progress is needed, and the situation will be closely monitored.

Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Finland are at risk of facing migratory pressures. This is due either to a relatively high number of irregular arrivals, unauthorised secondary movements, asylum applications or temporary protection granted to people fleeing the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, or to the risk of migration being exploited, which could give rise to disproportionate obligations next year. These Member States will have priority access to the EU’s Permanent Migration Support System, and their situation will be monitored and reassessed on an accelerated basis, if necessary.

Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Austria and Poland are facing a significant migration situation due to the cumulative effect of migration over the last five years. They may apply to the Council for a total or partial deduction from their contributions to the Solidarity Fund for the coming year.

Proposal for a Solidarity Fund

The Commission is also proposing to the Council the establishment of the Solidarity Fund for 2027, with the aim of addressing the needs of Member States facing migratory pressure. In accordance with the rules of the Pact, this proposal is not made public.

It is now up to the Council to agree on the size of the Solidarity Fund and how each Member State will contribute. Member States will have the flexibility to choose how to contribute: through solidarity with individuals (relocation or burden-sharing), financial support, alternative measures, or a combination of these.

Once the Council has adopted the decision on the Solidarity Fund, the Member States’ solidarity contributions will be made public and will be legally binding.

Fund

As set out in the Regulation on the management of asylum and migration, the Commission assesses the overall migration situation in the EU and in all Member States on an annual basis. This ensures that the permanent solidarity mechanism established by the Pact on Migration and Asylum balances the challenges and responsibilities borne by Member States. 

This assessment, presented in the European Annual Report on Asylum and Migration, is based on information provided by the Member States, the EU’s statistical office (Eurostat), EU agencies and the European External Action Service. The information compiled in the Report serves as a basis for assessing the migration situation in the Member States and in the Union as a whole, and underpins the proposal for the annual Solidarity Fund to address this situation.

The Annual Report also includes the fourth report on the current state of implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

 

More information: European Commission