EU migration and asylum policy
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.
How the EU manages migration and asylum
The EU has developed a common approach to migration and asylum through the pact on migration and asylum, which establishes common rules covering asylum, migration management, border procedures and solidarity between member states. The pact aims to ensure more effective and uniform procedures while balancing responsibility and solidarity across the EU.
The European Council sets the EU's strategic priorities on migration, while the Council of the EU adopts EU legislation and provides mandates for negotiations with non-EU countries. The Council of the EU also works with member states on implementing the pact and on other aspects of migration policy, including legal migration, returns and cooperation with countries outside the EU.
Muuttoliike- ja turvapaikkasopimus
What happens to migrants and refugees once they arrive?
The EU has adopted various rules to manage legal migration flows, process asylum requests and return irregular migrants.
Facts and figures on irregular arrivals
Yearly irregular arrivals (2015-2026)
Data up to August 2026. Western route refers to Western Mediterranean and Western African routes.
Irregular arrivals in the EU have decreased significantly since the peak of the migration crisis in 2015.
In 2026, 64 067 irregular arrivals were registered so far. The breakdown per migratory route is as follows:
- Central route: 19 411 arrivals
- Eastern route: 24 239 arrivals
- Western routes: 20 417 arrivals
Notes: Figures for the Western route exclude arrivals in Ceuta on 17 and 18 May 2021. Due to the exceptional nature of the irregular arrivals recorded in Ceuta between 30 July and 1 August 2026, data for that period has not been included either.
Monthly irregular arrivals (2015-2026)
Data up to August 2026. Western route refers to Western Mediterranean and Western African routes.
In August 2026, 9 091 irregular arrivals have been registered. The breakdown per migratory route is as follows:
- Central route: 2 772 arrivals
- Eastern route: 2 999 arrivals
- Western routes: 3 320 arrivals
Notes: Figures for the Western route exclude arrivals in Ceuta on 17 and 18 May 2021. Due to the exceptional nature of the irregular arrivals recorded in Ceuta between 30 July and 1 August 2026, data for that period has not been included either.
Migration routes: where do migrants and refugees come from?
Migrants and refugees try to reach Europe mainly via 3 main migratory routes, with one additional temporary route from Ukraine since Russia launched a military aggression in February 2022:
Muuttovirrat: itäinen, keskinen ja läntinen reitti
Returns of people with no right to stay in the EU
The EU is strengthening its common approach to returns. EU rules establish common procedures for returning people who have no right to stay in the EU, including obligations to cooperate with national authorities.
They also introduce a European return order and open the possibility for member states to establish return hubs in non-EU countries, subject to safeguards and respect for fundamental rights. The rules complement the pact on migration and asylum and will contribute to its implementation.
Päivitetty viimeksi: 1. lokakuuta 2026
