In a dramatic vote on 6 December, the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee approved two controversial migration files after the centre-right European People’s Party teamed up with hard-right groups, including Italy’s ruling coalition. The first regulation would let member states transfer asylum seekers to ‘safe third countries’ even without a personal connection—mirroring Rome’s recent deal to process certain migrants in Albania. The second expands the EU-wide list of ‘safe countries of origin’, accelerating negative decisions.
Both texts now head to the 8 December Justice and Home Affairs Council, where Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is expected to secure ministerial endorsement. The package is a diplomatic win for Italy: it strengthens the legal basis for offshore processing and supports Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s promise of stricter border controls ahead of the 2026 Jubilee Year and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
![Italy-Backed Coalition Pushes Tougher EU Asylum Rules Through Key Committee]()
Business-immigration planners see several knock-on effects. A narrower definition of ‘unsafe’ could shrink the talent pool from countries such as Tunisia, Bangladesh or Georgia, complicating family-reunification and status-conversion cases. Companies that hire from those regions may need to lengthen lead times and budget for more appeals.
Human-rights NGOs warn the reforms risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement and will trigger fresh litigation in the EU Court of Justice. Italian chambers of commerce operating in North Africa fear that labelling more countries ‘safe’ without parallel labour-migration channels will push would-be workers onto irregular routes, increasing maritime rescues and insurance costs for shipping lines.
If adopted unchanged, the new rules could enter into force by late 2026—just as the EU-wide Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational—adding another compliance layer for employers moving staff across Schengen borders.
Both texts now head to the 8 December Justice and Home Affairs Council, where Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is expected to secure ministerial endorsement. The package is a diplomatic win for Italy: it strengthens the legal basis for offshore processing and supports Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s promise of stricter border controls ahead of the 2026 Jubilee Year and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Business-immigration planners see several knock-on effects. A narrower definition of ‘unsafe’ could shrink the talent pool from countries such as Tunisia, Bangladesh or Georgia, complicating family-reunification and status-conversion cases. Companies that hire from those regions may need to lengthen lead times and budget for more appeals.
Human-rights NGOs warn the reforms risk breaching the principle of non-refoulement and will trigger fresh litigation in the EU Court of Justice. Italian chambers of commerce operating in North Africa fear that labelling more countries ‘safe’ without parallel labour-migration channels will push would-be workers onto irregular routes, increasing maritime rescues and insurance costs for shipping lines.
If adopted unchanged, the new rules could enter into force by late 2026—just as the EU-wide Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational—adding another compliance layer for employers moving staff across Schengen borders.
