Council of the EU agrees position on safe third countries and EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin
The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on two key proposals to strengthen the use of safe country concepts in EU asylum rules. One addresses the safe third country concept, and the other establishes the first EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin. They aim to accelerate asylum procedures and improve the management of applications from those unlikely to require protection. Negotiations with the European Parliament, which has also endorsed the list, will follow to agree on the final texts.
In April 2025, the European Commission proposed a first EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin. On 3 December, the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee endorsed the designation of the same countries (Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia) and of EU accession candidate countries, except in cases of armed conflict, measures affecting fundamental rights, or when the asylum recognition rate in the EU exceeds 20%.
On 8 December 2025, the Council agreed its position on the revision of the safe third country concept. Under the revised rules, Member States may deem an asylum application inadmissible if the applicant could have sought protection in a non‑EU country deemed safe. Criteria include a connection to the third country, transit through the country, or an agreement to process the claim there. Applicants appealing such decisions will not automatically remain in the EU during the appeal, though they retain the right to request judicial review.
The Council confirmed the EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin, covering Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia. EU accession candidates are also included, unless conditions affecting safety change. Applicants from these countries are presumed to face no serious risk of persecution, allowing accelerated procedures at borders or in transit zones. The Commission will monitor conditions and may suspend a country’s designation if necessary, while Member States may maintain additional national lists.
On 9 December 2025, more than 50 civil society organisations issued a joint statement raising concerns about recent EU proposals, including the EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin, the expansion of the safe third country concept, and a proposed return regulation. They warned that these proposals could undermine the right to seek asylum, weaken procedural safeguards, and shift Europe’s protection responsibilities to non‑EU countries with human rights issues. The statement called on EU institutions and Member States to reject the proposals and uphold their obligations under EU and international law. Signatories include Amnesty International, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, Human Rights Watch, and ILGA-Europe.
For further details, please read the press release from the Council of the European Union.