Explainers

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has taken a number of steps to help refugees fleeing the war, including through the EU temporary protection mechanism.

The EU's migration and asylum policy aims to manage migration effectively, ensure fair responsibility-sharing between member states and protect the rights of people seeking international protection.

Find out about irregular arrivals in the EU, the main migratory routes, key figures and how the EU works with partner countries to manage migration.

Migrant smuggling and human trafficking exploit vulnerable people and fuel organised crime. Find out how the EU and member states work together to prevent these crimes, disrupt criminal networks and protect victims.

The EU has common rules for asylum procedures. Find out how asylum applications are handled, what rights and obligations asylum seekers have and how safe countries are considered.

EU rules set standards for the reception of asylum seekers, requiring member states to ensure adequate living conditions, protect applicants' rights and help reduce secondary movements.

EU screening rules ensure that people arriving at the EU's external borders are identified, undergo the necessary checks and are quickly referred to the appropriate asylum or return procedure.

EU rules set common criteria for granting asylum, or international protection, in the EU. They define who can qualify for refugee or subsidiary protection status and the rights of people granted protection.

EU rules provide exceptional measures, flexibility and solidarity when situations of crisis or force majeure put pressure on member states' migration and asylum systems.

Eurodac is a modern EU database that uses biometric and identity data to improve the identification of asylum seekers and irregular migrants and support asylum and migration management in the EU.