EU Pact on Migration and Asylum Enters into Force Today

Ingrid Eagly

12 Jun 2026

The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into force today.

The Pact, which was signed into law in 2024, will significantly reform the EU asylum system. The new border screening process is expected to increase detention and turn-backs at the border.

According to the European Commission’s third report on the state of implementation of the Pact (8 May 2026), "[i]llegal border crossings at the EU’s external borders fell by 26% in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of persons detected trying to cross the border illegally is at the lowest level since 2021."

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) has identified a number of serious implementation concerns, here, including in the screening process, access to legal counseling, staffing, and the right to appeal.

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