Explainers

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.

Authorities across the EU share information through large-scale IT systems to protect citizens, fight crime, and secure borders.

The Schengen area allows more than 450 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.

The EU has introduced a set of rules to manage migration more effectively and establish a common European asylum system. This system ensures efficient and uniform procedures, and solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing between member states.

The EU and its member states are intensifying efforts to establish an effective, humanitarian and safe European migration policy.

How many migrants arrive irregularly to the EU every year and what are the top nationalities of irregular migrants in the EU? Discover it in our infographic.

In crisis situations and exceptional circumstances, member states are authorised to derogate from certain rules and request solidarity and support measures. These are outlined in new rules.

The EU and its member states have taken a number of measures to address the migration situation on the Western Mediterranean and Western African routes.

The sharing of passenger data is useful in preventing, detecting and prosecuting terrorist offences and serious crime. The passenger name record directive aims to regulate the transfer of such basic data from the airlines to national authorities, while the advance passenger information regulations sets rules for the collection and transfer of more personal data to national authorities.