EU governments asked to consider reviewing migration pact next year

European governments are being asked to formally consider a “comprehensive review” of the EU’s migration and asylum rules next year.

This could pave the way for changes just six months after the new system took effect.

According to an internal diplomatic note obtained by Rapporteur, Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council and chairs the negotiations, is testing whether capitals would support reviewing all legal instruments of the EU Migration Pact, including those not formally due for their first evaluation until 2028.

The migration pact was adopted in May 2024 after years of long and difficult negotiations and entered into force last June.

The reassessment could come as elections in France, Greece, Italy and Poland next year are expected to push migration high up the political agenda.

The review could lead to changes to some of the agreement’s most politically contentious elements, including the solidarity mechanism, the system for sharing migration responsibility among EU countries, and the rules determining which country is responsible for examining an asylum application.

In September, ministers from a broad group of EU countries met in Munich for informal talks on possible changes to the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Top of the agenda were efforts to call on the European Commission to prepare a “simplification” legislative package by mid-2027.

“The aims of the review should be simplification and improvements in the implementation of the Pact, as well as clarification of legal texts where necessary,” the note said.

However, a senior official told Rapporteur: “Everyone knows this is a window of opportunity.”

Representatives of the capitals will also be asked whether they agree that the review should preserve the Pact’s “delicate balance between solidarity and responsibility” and avoid changes that would affect its basic structure and principles.

EU capitals have already backed a tougher migration agenda during the current Commission’s term, including a new deportation framework that allows for the establishment of return hubs in non-EU countries.

Several governments are currently considering this option and are expected to announce an agreement next week with a third country to host such facilities.

The Commission has also proposed new rules for Frontex, the EU’s border agency, aiming to make it the bloc’s “main operational arm” for returns.

Under the proposals, the agency would deploy officers during border crises, monitor online threats and take on a greater role in organizing and carrying out deportations.