News

The European Migration Network (EMN) has published the Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO) 2024, presenting a comparative analysis of migration and asylum developments across EMN Member and Observer Countries. Drawing on contributions from 30 National Contact Points (NCPs) (AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, EE, FI, FR, DE, EL, HU, IE, IT, LV, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, SK, SI, ES, SE, NO, GE, MD, RS, UA) and EU-level sources, the report highlights key legal, policy and operational changes during the year 2024. It complements national EMN reports and supports the implementation of coherent, effective and forward-looking migration and asylum policies.

EU migration and asylum policy

The year 2024 marked a turning point in EU migration and asylum policy with the adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Set to apply from June 2026, the Pact introduces a more coordinated framework for managing migration across the EU.

This comes amid ongoing geopolitical instability in the EU’s neighbourhood and beyond, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, which led the Council of the EU to extend temporary protection until March 2026, and multiple regional crises in the Middle East and Africa that have further shaped migration dynamics.

Additional developments at the EU level included the phased enlargement of the Schengen Area to include Bulgaria and Romania, as well as continued investment in the implementation of large-scale IT systems, such as the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Decline in asylum applications and irregular border crossings

In 2024, first-time asylum applications in the EU decreased by 13%, from 1 million in 2023 to 917 000. At the same time, irregular border crossings decreased sharply by 38%, with just over 239 000 detections recorded, the lowest level since 2021. This decline was largely driven by a 59% reduction in arrivals via the Central Mediterranean route, linked to fewer departures from Tunisia and Libya, and a 78% drop on the Western Balkan route.

Shifting national approaches

Several EMN Member and Observer Countries introduced more restrictive migration and asylum measures in response to national security concerns, pressure on reception systems, or efforts to streamline legal migration channels (AT, BE, CZ, DE, EL, FI, FR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PL, PT, SE, SI, SK, and MD). Reforms included tightened admissibility procedures, revised eligibility criteria for permits, and stronger links between integration progress and residence rights.

At the same time, digitalisation continued across all key areas, including asylum, work permits, and integration services. New online portals and tools were aimed at reducing processing times, improving transparency, and simplifying communication between authorities and applicants.

Labour migration and integration remain central policy drivers

Meeting labour market needs was a core driver of legal migration reform. In 2024, many countries introduced fast-track schemes, simplified work permit procedures, and new partnerships to attract international talent.

Almost all EMN Member and Observer Countries (AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, IE, IT, MT, NL, LU, LV, PL, PT, SE, SI, SK, and NO, GE, MD, RS) reported measures to foster third-country nationals’ general participation and inclusion in their host society. Inclusion efforts focused on language learning, education access and early labour market entry.

Continued focus on return, reintegration and cooperation with partner countries

Several EMN Member and Observer Countries implemented new policies to strengthen return and readmission procedures, improve identification and fill legal gaps for individuals without clear status. Voluntary return and reintegration schemes were promoted, often in partnership with Frontex and supported by counselling or financial incentives.

In parallel, countries expanded cooperation with partner countries through labour mobility agreements, border management initiatives, and anti-trafficking frameworks.

Click here for a summary of the EMN AMO findings. The summary chapters include interactive maps that allow the reader to click, compare and expand the datasets. Instructions on how to use the maps can be found on each page.

For more information on the EMN's Annual Report on Migration and Asylum, please visit here. Key migration statistics for the past year for EMN Members and Observer Countries are available here.