On 8 December 2025, EU Home Affairs Ministers reached a political agreement on the 2026 solidarity pool, setting binding targets of 21.000 relocations or €420 million in contributions. The pool is part of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, designed to strengthen the solidarity dimension while allowing Member States flexibility in how they contribute to the solidarity pool, through relocations of asylum seekers, financial support, or operational assistance such as staff or equipment. The mechanism is intended to support countries facing high migratory pressure while balancing the capacities of other Member States.

The Council Implementing Decision adopted on 18 December 2025 finalises the first annual solidarity pool. Eight Member States have agreed to relocate asylum seekers, with Germany (4.555) and France (3.361) providing the largest shares. In total, the participating countries have committed to 8.921 relocations, less than half of the 21.000 relocations target set for 2026. Several other countries, including Belgium, have opted to contribute financially, with Belgium committing €12.920.000. Hungary and Slovakia are the only Member States that did not commit to either relocations or financial contributions.

Reactions to the finalised solidarity pool have been mixed. Civil society organisations and commentators have expressed concern that a mechanism relying heavily on financial contributions rather than physical relocations could place disproportionate burdens on frontline countries and undermine trust between Member States.

For further details, please read the Council Implementing Decision attached below.