EU Approves Deportation of Asylum-Seekers to Third Countries

The European Union has approved a controversial reform allowing member states, including Germany, to deport asylum seekers to non-EU countries, even if they have no personal ties there. The decision, finalized in Brussels this week, is part of the revamped Common European Asylum System (GEAS), which will take effect on 12 June 2026.

Under the new rules, EU states no longer need to prove family links, prior residence, or other connections to a third country; only a formal agreement with that country is required. The reforms also introduce a common list of “safe countries of origin,” including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kosovo, Colombia, India, and Bangladesh, enabling faster processing and potential accelerated returns for applicants deemed ineligible.

Proponents argue the changes will reduce asylum backlogs, clarify responsibilities, and make migration management more efficient. Critics, however, warn that deporting people to countries without strong protection guarantees may violate human rights, expose asylum seekers to unsafe conditions, and undermine the right to seek protection.

As the reforms take effect this summer, legal challenges and debates over human rights, migration policy, and burden-sharing are expected to intensify across the EU.