Greece: Quarterly Mixed Migration Update: Europe, Quarter 2, 2026

Countries: Greece, Italy, Spain, World Source: Mixed Migration Centre Please refer to the attached file. The core countries of focus are Spain, Italy, Greece and countries along the Balkan migration route. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to any of the countries over the rest. Key migration trends and policy updates Italy’s right-wing split over “remigration” and the far-right Future Nazionale: Giorgia Meloni’s government is facing pressure from the emergence of a far-right party, Futuro Nazionale , prompting speculation that the country’s political right could be undergoing “ a new phase of fragmentation ” around migration. 1 million undocumented migrants apply for regularization In Spain: The proposal to regularise the status of what was originally estimated at around 500,000 undocumented migrants currently living in the country was finalised in April , with more than 1 million people applying to the scheme. Pope Leo appeals to Europe’s ”conscience”: at a time when the Mediterranean has seen one of the deadliest starts to a year ,the pontiff called on Europe’s “conscience” as the Mediterranean risked becoming “an unmarked grave” During a visit to the Canary Islands . He reiterated these sentiments during a visit to Lampedusa , Italy, in early July. Croatia faces new accusations of violence against refugees and migrants: A report by Al Jazeera has highlighted the continued threat of abuse and rights violations that refugees and migrants attempting to travel from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia face at the hands of security forces there. Calls for continued solidarity towards Ukrainians as support dwindles: In May the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued a statement on the “the growing fatigue and intensifying discussions at EU and national levels about ending emergency arrangements”. New UK-France deal on migration control brokered: In April, the UK signed a three-year, £662 million deal with France to apprehend and deport refugees and migrants on the beaches before their departure. Street attacks in Southampton and Belfast trigger rioting and violence against immigration: Two separate incidents of violence triggered orchestrated far-right protests in Southampton and Belfast , with refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and citizens with migrant backgrounds specifically targeted. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum came into force: After several years of negotiation, implementation began on 12 June, marking a significant shift in the EU’s migration and asylum framework. The Pact introduces new asylum procedures with shorter processing timeframes and new reception standards, alongside measures on family recognition, child protection, and a solidarity mechanism to share responsibility for asylum seekers across member states. It also includes provisions to accelerate deportations and returns. Rights groups have raised concerns that some provisions could ease governments’ ability to fast-track asylum decisions and expand detention. EU approves new set of rules around returns: On 17 June, the EU formally approved an overhaul of its returns policy with a new system that will significantly expand the ability of governments to expel undocumented migrants and rejected asylum seekers, including the creation of “return hubs” in third countries . Renewed focus on deportations to Afghanistan: The EU has ramped up its efforts to undertake deportations of Afghans by inviting the Taliban to Brussels for negotiations, a move condemned by human rights groups for normalising the regime and risking the lives of those forced to return. Sweden passes controversial “snitch law”: In June, the Swedish parliament passed further restrictions on immigration that include a broad “good behaviour” provision that could mean immigrants could be expelled if they were perceived to have broken unspecified social norms . Switzerland rejects population cap in national referendum: A divisive referendum put forward by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SPP) on whether to establish a 10-million population cap by 2050 – a move that would have required the government to impose restrictions on foreign entry– was rejected in June by a 55 per cent majority of voters.
2026-07-22 09:09:32