EuroWire, BRUSSELS: The European Commission on Jan. 29 presented the European Union’s first European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, setting political objectives and concrete priorities for EU migration and asylum policy over the next five years. The Commission said the roadmap is intended to support a system it describes as fair and firm, manage migration with partner countries, and stay aligned with European values and fundamental rights.
The strategy sets three objectives: preventing illegal migration and disrupting criminal smuggling networks; protecting people fleeing war and persecution while preventing abuse of the asylum system; and attracting talent to the EU to support economic competitiveness. The Commission framed the plan as a guide for coordinated action across member states and EU institutions as migration and asylum rules are updated and implemented.
Under the first priority, “stepping up migration diplomacy,” the Commission said the EU and member states will expand cooperation with international partners through comprehensive partnerships and a whole of route approach. It also said the EU will use incentives and leverage across policy areas, including visa policy, trade and financial support, while promoting protection closer to countries of origin and supporting returns from third countries.
A second priority focuses on external borders and Schengen. The Commission said the EU will roll out the Entry Exit System and launch the European Travel Information Authorisation System as part of what it called an advanced digital border management framework. It also said all illegal arrivals will be screened and that the border procedure at external borders will apply under the Pact on Migration and Asylum from June 2026, alongside plans to strengthen Frontex through a revision of its founding regulation.
Asylum and migration system
The third priority centres on implementing and operationalising the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which the Commission said combines stronger border protection with rules against abuse and a balance between responsibility and solidarity. The Commission said it will deploy dedicated country teams to help national authorities apply the new rules and will provide additional EUR 3 billion to support efficient procedures and to better prevent unauthorised secondary movements. It also referenced the Solidarity Pool and work on safe third country and safe countries of origin concepts.
A fourth priority targets return and readmission. The Commission said faster, effective and dignified return is essential to the credibility of the EU system, noting that currently only about one in four people ordered to leave actually returns. It said the EU will continue work toward a common European return system based on a proposed Return Regulation that is under negotiation, including more efficient rules, digitalised processes and exploration of measures such as return hubs, alongside efforts to improve readmission cooperation by third countries.
Visa policy and talent mobility
The fifth priority addresses labour needs and legal pathways. The Commission said it will scale up and launch Talent Partnerships and simplify and accelerate processes to attract workers with needed skills, including through recognition and validation of qualifications. It also said it will step up action against illegal employment and exploitation of migrant workers and support integration in host member states through EU funding.
Alongside the five year migration strategy, the Commission presented the EU’s first visa strategy, structured around three areas. It said it will strengthen security by modernising how visa free travel is granted and monitored, tighten monitoring of existing visa free regimes, and strengthen travel document security, including targeted restrictive visa measures when needed. It also said it will boost prosperity and competitiveness by easing legitimate travel, including longer validity multiple entry visas for trusted travellers and new digital procedures for visa free and visa required travellers.
The Commission said it will modernise visa tools by making EU visa and border IT systems interoperable by 2028, enabling authorities to query multiple databases through a single central search to improve information sharing and help prevent visa abuse. It also said the migration strategy promotes fuller use of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in migration and asylum management to improve the quality and timeliness of decisions, enhance security and provide better services. The Commission said EU funding will support implementation, including in proposals linked to the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028 to 2034, with a proposed overall amount of at least EUR 81 billion for home affairs policies and a Global Europe instrument.