On 29 January, the Commission presented the first European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy. It sets out the EU’s political objectives on asylum and migration, with concrete priorities for the next five years.
The newly adopted Strategy emphasises the commitment and ongoing work to put in place an EU framework that is fair and firm, and that effectively manages migration together with partner countries, while remaining true to European values. It sets out the way forward to achieve three main objectives: preventing illegal migration and breaking the business of criminal smuggling networks; protecting people fleeing war and persecution, while preventing abuse of the asylum system; and attracting talent to the EU to boost the competitiveness of the EU’s economy.
The Strategy’s five priorities
1. Stepping up migration diplomacy
To further reinforce an assertive migration diplomacy that promotes the EU’s interests and values, the Commission, together with Member States, will increase cooperation with international partners by:
• Promoting comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnerships that ensure effective and rights-based cooperation on migration.
• Using incentives and leverage across sectors and policy areas, such as visa policy, trade and financial support.
• Implementing a whole-of-route approach that helps partners to build resilient and humane migration and asylum frameworks, including by providing protection closer to countries of origin.
• Further stepping up the global fight against migrant smuggling to prevent dangerous journeys, including through the reinforced Global Alliance, new tools to track digital and illicit financial activities, and a new sanctions regime.
• Promoting pathways to protection and supporting returns from third countries, to help reduce pressure on partners and shield them from the abuses of smugglers.
2. Strong EU borders to enhance control and security
Strong EU borders that ensure effective control over who enters the Union are key for the EU’s migration policy and for preserving the Schengen area. To sustain and further step up the progress made so far, the EU will:
• Deliver the world’s most advanced digital border management system, with the roll-out of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the launch of the new European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS).
• Screen all illegal arrivals to the Union and apply the border procedure at the external borders under the Pact as of June 2026.
• Further strengthen the role of Frontex with a revision of its founding regulation.
3. A firm, fair and adaptable asylum and migration system
The Pact on Migration and Asylum ensures stronger external border protection, strict rules against abuse and a balance between responsibility and solidarity. Its implementation, operationalisation and further development will require a continued focus in the coming years. This includes:
• Assisting national authorities in implementing the new rules with dedicated Commission country teams, and additional EUR 3 billion of funding to set up efficient procedures and better prevent unauthorised secondary movements.
• Following the adoption of the first Solidarity Pool, ensuring continued solidarity for Member States under pressure.
• Further strengthening and complementing the Pact to adapt to new challenges, e.g. with the amended safe third country concept and the EU list of safe countries of origin.
4. More effective return and readmission
Fast, effective and dignified return is indispensable to the functioning and credibility of our migration and asylum system. With currently only about one in four of those ordered to leave actually returning, increasing the effectiveness of the EU’s return system is urgent. To do so, the EU will further work on:
• Building a common European system for return, based on the proposed Return Regulation, currently under negotiation, with more efficient rules, digitalised processes, and exploring other measures, such as the establishment of return hubs.
• Improving readmission by third countries, by using and reinforcing the measures open to the EU to use leverage to promote cooperation.
5. Labour and talent mobility to boost competitiveness
In the next five years, skills gaps and labour shortages will accentuate in many key sectors, also driven by demographic dynamics. The EU should aim to become the most attractive place in the global race for talent. For this, it will be necessary to:
• Scale up existing and launch new Talent Partnerships and fully integrate talent attraction into the EU’s comprehensive cooperation with partner countries.
• Simplify and accelerate the rules and the process to attract people with the skills Europe needs, including on the recognition and validation of qualifications and skills
• Fight illegal employment and exploitation of migrant workers and improve integration in host Member States, supported by EU funding.
Funding
Strategic use of EU funding will support the implementation of the Strategy, including as set out in the Commission’s proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034. This includes a proposal to dedicate an overall amount of at least EUR 81 billion to home affairs policies and a Global Europe instrument, designed to match a more strategic approach to international partnerships, in alignment with the EU’s strategic interests, including on migration. EU Agencies will provide reinforced operational support to Member States.
For more information
Press Release – 29 January 2026
European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy