EU Commission proposes Poland exemption from migrant intake for 2027

What the Commission proposed

The European Commission proposed on 6 November 2026 that Poland be exempted for one year, from 1 January to 31 December 2027, from the obligation to accept migrants under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The proposal was part of the Commission's annual migration report presented that day. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia and Austria were named alongside Poland as countries in a difficult migration situation because of the cumulative effects of migration over the past five years. According to the report, Austria is likely to be exempted again next year. Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for internal affairs, announced the decision in Brussels.

Why Poland is in the group

Brunner said Poland is among the member states facing a serious migration situation. He linked this to Poland having taken in Ukrainians, including hundreds of people under temporary protection, and to migration being used as a tool of pressure on the border with Belarus. He said Poland's situation had not changed since last year. On that basis, Poland may now ask the Council of the EU to lower its contribution to the solidarity mechanism, and the Council will decide on the request.

How the solidarity mechanism works

The mechanism obliges EU states to support countries under heavy migratory pressure through money, technical and equipment help, and the relocation of migrants. Each state decides for itself how to meet its share. According to newsORF.at, at least 30,000 refugees a year are to be redistributed from countries under high pressure, although states may instead provide goods or money. The Commission announced relocation of 21,000 people and a financial contribution of 420 million euro for 2026. Member states committed to just under 9,000 relocations, and Germany pledged the most at 4,500 people. Berlin instead took on the asylum applications of people who arrived in Germany from Italy and Greece, a duty that under EU law falls on the first member state a person reaches.

Who still needs relief

The Commission said Spain, Italy, Cyprus and Greece still need relief in taking in migrants, because disproportionate numbers arrived there last year. It also urged more discipline in applying the responsibility rules. Anna Bryłka, a Confederation MEP, published the Commission's letter on the proposal. Last year, after Poland made the same request, member states released it from the obligations of the mechanism.

What happens next

The proposal still has to be approved by the Council of the EU, and no date for that decision was given. If the Council grants the request, the release would lower or fully cancel Poland's contributions to the Solidarity Pool for 2027. The other named countries may submit similar requests. Until the Council rules, the obligation to accept migrants under the pact remains in force for Poland's 2027 period, as the Commission's proposal does not change it on its own.