EU migration and asylum policy
The EU and its member states are intensifying efforts to establish an effective, humanitarian and safe European migration policy.
The EU's role in migration
The EU and its member states are intensifying efforts to establish an effective, humanitarian and safe European migration policy. The European Council plays an important role in this effort by setting the strategic priorities.
Based on these priorities, the Council of the EU establishes lines of action and provides the mandates for negotiations with non-EU countries. It also adopts legislation and defines specific programmes. Over the past few years, the Council and European Council have built up a strong response to migratory pressure.
Migration and asylum rules
Asylum seekers should be treated uniformly across Europe, the EU is working towards this. The new rules, or migration and asylum pact, will make the European asylum system more effective and will increase the solidarity between member states by enabling to lighten the load on those member states where most migrants arrive.
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:
Migracja: szlak wschodni, środkowy i zachodni
Ostatnia aktualizacja: 29 września 2026
