EU launches biggest asylum reform in decades as new rules take effect
The Common European Asylum System (GEAS) entered into force at midnight, introducing fast-track screenings, a solidarity mechanism, and a new border facility at Berlin airport.
What the reform changes
The EU’s new asylum rules — the biggest overhaul in decades — went live at midnight on 12 June 2026. For the first time, authorities will screen migrants at the external borders before they enter the bloc, with those having little chance of protection placed in closed centres and processed within 12 weeks. The aim is to accelerate returns and curb secondary movement, where asylum seekers travel from frontline states such as Greece or Italy to destinations like Germany.
The member states are on a very good path. Will everything work 100 percent perfectly on the first day? No, of course not. The last few metres are always the hardest. But the migration figures prove us right already.
Screening at the border
A key practical step: a new screening centre at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) opens today. It will check whether applicants pose a threat to national security or public order, and will verify identities to detect attempts by nationals of countries with low recognition rates to disguise their origin. All irregular arrivals will now be subject to uniform security and health checks, with biometric data stored in the central Eurodac database — making it visible across all 27 member states.
Sharing the burden
A fresh solidarity mechanism requires member states to relieve pressure on frontline countries through financial contributions, in-kind support, or by taking in asylum seekers. The pact sets a capacity target of 30,000 places for fast-track procedures at external borders. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said the reform “strengthens trust between the member states and gives Europe more control.”
Germany and France exempt this year
Germany does not have to pay into this year’s solidarity pool. The many asylum applicants for which other countries were originally responsible have been credited to Berlin, since deadlines for return transfers expired and Germany had to assume jurisdiction. The same applies to France.
Falling numbers and political relief
Irregular border crossings dropped 40% in the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, to 39,000, according to Frontex data cited by ARD. Asylum applications also fell to their lowest level in five years, notably in Germany. The downward trend, combined with the new pact, could ease a decade-long source of friction that boosted right-wing populists and strained the bloc.
