European Commission proposals to complete the reform of the Common European Asylum System

14 Jul 2016

The European Commission proposals to reform the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) include the following:

Replace the Asylum Procedures Directive with a Regulation to establish a fair and efficient common EU procedure for international protection.

This proposal aims to:

  • Simplify, clarify and shorten asylum procedures.
  • Ensure common guarantees for asylum seekers.
  • Ensure stricter rules to combat abuse.
  • Harmonise rules on safe countries.

See:  Asylum procedures: reforming the Common European Asylum System Factsheet

Replace the existing Qualification Directive with a Regulation to harmonise protection standards and rights in the EU.

This proposal aims to:

  • Ensure greater convergence of recognition rates and forms of protection.
  • Apply firmer rules sanctioning secondary movements.
  • Ensure protection is granted only for as long as it is needed.
  • Strengthened integration incentives.

See: Qualification: reforming the Common European Asylum System Factsheet

Reform the Reception Conditions Directive to ensure that asylum seekers can benefit from harmonised and dignified reception standards throughout the EU.

This proposal aims to:

  • Ensure Member States apply the standards and indicators on reception conditions developed by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).
  • Ensure asylum seekers remain available and discourage them from absconding by allowing Member States to assign a residence to them or impose reporting obligations.
  • Clarify that reception conditions will only be provided in the Member State responsible.
  • Grant earlier access to the labour market.
  • Common reinforced guarantees for asylum seekers with special needs and for unaccompanied minors.

See: Reception Conditions: reforming the Common European Asylum System Factsheet

For more information:

European Commission – Press release: Completing the reform of the Common European Asylum System: towards an efficient, fair and humane asylum policy (13 July 2016)

Questions and Answers – Reforming the Common European Asylum System

The Common European Asylum System Factsheet