The most important goals at a glance - and what they mean in concrete terms
At the meeting on the Zugspitze, the interior ministers of Germany, France, Denmark, Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic agreed on key points of a tougher European asylum and migration policy.
EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner was also present. The host was Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), who announced his intention to "noticeably" reduce illegal migration to Europe
What are the ministers demanding?
Speed up asylum procedures - prevent secondary migration
The reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) agreed in 2024 is to be implemented and further developed more quickly. The aim is for asylum procedures to be carried out quickly and uniformly in all EU countries.
A central demand is so-called secondary migration. Asylum seekers who have already been recognized in an EU country should not be allowed to travel on and apply for asylum again in another EU country.
The third country concept is also being reviewed: If protection is possible in a safe non-EU country, asylum applications in the EU are to be rejected more quickly in future and those seeking protection are to be returned there.
In addition, legal options, such as appealing against a rejection, are to be reduced.
What this means for people seeking protection:
- Asylum procedures could be completed faster, applications rejected more quickly
- Asylum seekers have fewer legal options to lodge an appeal
- Anyone who has already been granted asylum in an EU country has little chance of a further procedure in another country
- Anyone who comes from a safe third country or could stay there should have more difficult access to the EU asylum system in future
Expand repatriations - also to Syria and Afghanistan
One particularly controversial goal is the consistent implementation of repatriations. The ministers are proposing to set up so-called "repatriation centers" in third countries. These would house rejected asylum seekers and coordinate returns and deportations centrally.
The demand to allow repatriations to Syria and Afghanistan is particularly controversial - on the condition that this is done in accordance with international law.
What this means for asylum seekers:
- Deportations could be significantly accelerated and expanded - including to countries where the security situation is tense
- For rejected asylum seekers, the risk of being taken more quickly to so-called return centers outside the EU and returned from there increases
Expanding the protection of the EU's external borders
Control of the EU's external borders is to be significantly strengthened. Plans include the introduction of a new digital entry and exit system (EES). The system is to register all travelers at the EU border.
In addition, more drones, vehicles and mobile patrols are to be deployed at the external borders. The digital registration of all migrants in EU databases such as Eurodac is also planned in order to enable better tracking.
The focus is particularly on the EU's eastern borders with Belarus and Russia, where controls are to be significantly tightened.
What this means for people seeking protection:
- Entry into the EU is more closely monitored and documented
- Full registration should already take place at the border
- Unauthorized border crossings are to be prevented by mobile controls and drones
Strengthening partnerships with third countries
In order to prevent irregular migration before it arrives in Europe, the EU wants to work more closely with countries of origin and transit. The aim is to create better prospects locally and manage migration movements at an early stage.
Planned are:
- Helping to set up local asylum systems
- New structures for the reception and return of asylum seekers
- Support in administration, justice and law enforcement
- Deployment of European experts to crisis regions
What this means for asylum seekers:
- At best, asylum seekers should encounter a functioning asylum system in the neighboring country of their home country or a safe third country
- At the same time, improved living conditions and prospects in the country of origin should lead to fewer people wanting to flee or migrate in the first place
Criticism of meeting of interior ministers
Important initial host countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain were not invited to the meeting on the Zugspitze. Many refugees arrive there first. Critics therefore accuse the interior ministers of making decisions over the heads of the affected countries.
Nevertheless, host Dobrindt speaks of a "milestone in European migration policy". In the coming months, there are likely to be further debates at EU level about funding, legal bases and implementation.
Conclusion: When will the measures come into force?
The meeting on the Zugspitze sends a clear signal: the EU should take more consistent action against irregular migration in future. Faster asylum procedures, more returns and border controls, as well as cooperation with third countries are the key levers.
However, how quickly and to what extent these plans will actually be implemented is currently unclear and depends on the approval of the EU Parliament, the other member states and the third countries concerned.
So far, the decisions of the interior ministers are merely demands -not applicable EU law.
