Justice and Home Affairs Council, 22/09/2015, 22 September 2015

Main results

The Council adopted a decision establishing provisional measures in the area of international protection for the benefit of Italy and Greece.

This decision establishes a temporary and exceptional relocation mechanism over two years from the frontline member states Italy and Greece to other member states. It will apply to 120 000 persons in clear need of international protection who have arrived or are arriving on the territory of those member states as from six months before the entry into force until two years after the entry into force.

We have an agreement in the Council by a very large majority, a majority going beyond that required by the Treaties. Today's decision reminds us that the European Union is founded on solidarity between member states, but also on solidarity with people in need of protection. Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister for Immigration and Asylum and President of the Council

According to the decision, 66 000 persons will be relocated from Italy and Greece (15 600 from Italy and 50 400 from Greece) . The remaining 54 000 persons will be relocated from Italy and Greece in the same proportion after one year of the entry into force of the decision.

However, if the Commission considers that the functioning in practice of the relocation mechanism needs to be adapted to the evolution of the situation on the ground or that a member state is confronted  with an emergency situation characterized by a sudden inflow of nationals of third countries due to a sharp shift of migration flows, it may submit a proposal to amend this decision.

The member states participating in the mechanism will receive a lump sum of 6 000 EUR for each relocated person.

The special procedure for the adoption of the decision establishes that the Council will consult the European Parliament. On 17 September the European Parliament adopted its opinion.

Denmark and the United Kingdom are not participating in this decision. Ireland has expressed its intention to participate.

• Council Decision establishing provisional measures in the area of international protection for the benefit of Italy and Greece (22 September 2015)
• Finding solutions to migratory pressures (background information)