News item | 12-12-2025 | 2:45 PM
The cabinet has decided to submit the bill that incorporates the rules from the European Asylum and Migration Pact into Dutch legislation to the House of Representatives. Because the pact will come into effect in exactly six months, on June 12, 2026, the House of Representatives is requested to give priority to the consideration of the bill.
Minister Van Weel: “This bill is an important step towards a stricter asylum system. It means stronger external borders, more efficient procedures, more returns and the fight against illegal migration.”
European Asylum and Migration Pact
The EU Asylum and Migration Pact will enter into force on 12 June 2026. From then on, one joint European asylum system will apply. The pact consists of 9 regulations and a directive that should ensure that the influx of asylum seekers to the Netherlands and the EU decreases and the burden is better shared between member states.
The pact introduces, among other things, mandatory border procedures for asylum seekers who have little chance of protection or pose a risk to public order, uniform screening rules at the external borders and an extensive European registration system for data of asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The external borders are further strengthened and foreigners are better screened upon arrival.
Asylum procedures are also being further simplified and cut back in parts, including by shortening appeal periods.
National implementation
With the implementation of the pact, the Netherlands is committed to simplifying the asylum procedure. At the same time, the law no longer makes an asylum permit for an indefinite period possible, the law shortens the validity period of the permit from 5 to 3 years and the law introduces a dual status system with stricter conditions for reunification.