Brussels, March 6, 2025 – The European Commission is accelerating its review of the Safe Third Country (STC) concept and the list of Safe Countries of Origin, aiming to finalize both ahead of schedule. The move is part of a broader push to tighten migration policies and enhance border security.
Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner confirmed the acceleration on Wednesday evening, following a meeting of EU interior ministers. The STC review, originally set for June 12, will now be completed earlier, aligning with new return legislation set to be unveiled next week.
“We will do it earlier because it has to be earlier,” Brunner stated, emphasizing the need for synchronization with the EU’s return policies.
Safe Country Lists & Asylum Reform
The Safe Third Country (STC) concept enables asylum seekers to be relocated to countries deemed secure for protection rather than staying in the EU state where they applied. The Safe Country of Origin list, meanwhile, classifies nations where asylum claims are less likely to be valid, allowing for faster processing and deportation of applicants from those regions.
Euractiv has learned that alongside these changes, a second European list of Safe Third Countries is in development, though its release timeline remains uncertain. The Italy-Albania migration deal, which was previously stalled, could also be impacted by these classifications.
Tighter EU Border Control & Return Policies
In addition to asylum system reforms, the EU is set to roll out stricter migration enforcement measures:
- New return legislation to increase deportations of failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers.
- Implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES)—an automated border management system that will replace passport stamps with biometric registration.
- ETIAS travel authorization for non-EU visitors, launching in 2025.
Brunner acknowledged that EU return rates remain low, with only one in five rejected asylum seekers successfully deported. He also proposed tougher detention rules for deportees deemed security risks, stating:
“Dangerous individuals slip through the cracks and commit crimes. Rules for security risks must be significantly tougher— including detention to prevent them from disappearing before deportation.”
Offshore Return Hubs Under Consideration
The Commission is also exploring the creation of offshore return hubs in third countries willing to accept deportees. The proposal, reminiscent of the UK’s Rwanda plan and Italy’s Albania deal, faces legal and diplomatic hurdles but remains a key element of the EU’s migration crackdown.
With migration policy a top priority for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the fast-tracked reforms signal a firm stance on border security and asylum control ahead of the 2025 EU elections.
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