The European Parliament's recent approval of the European list of safe countries of origin and clarification of the 'safe third country' concept signifies a pivotal shift in EU migration policy. The reform aims to address the slow and inconsistent asylum system that has left many legitimate claimants in limbo while allowing unfounded claims to drain resources. By establishing clear and uniform rules, the reform seeks to restore legitimacy to the asylum process, ensuring that it remains a pillar of European values while effectively distinguishing between those in genuine need of protection and those seeking economic opportunities. This legislative change is seen as a necessary step to enhance the credibility of the EU and its commitment to humanitarian principles.
Asylum: Who Benefits from a Slow and Ambiguous System?
Context & Explainers
The European list of safe countries of origin is a roster of states the EU considers generally safe for people seeking asylum, meaning claims from those countries can be processed through accelerated procedures. The list is used to speed up decisions and reject applications judged manifestly unfounded; the European Parliament recently approved a revision and clarification that also relates to how 'safe third country' rules are applied, which can affect asylum flows and returns.
A safe third country is a country outside the state where an asylum claim is lodged that is deemed to offer protection and respect the principle of non‑refoulement, so an applicant can be returned there instead of being allowed to claim asylum. EU rules use this concept to decide admissibility of claims; recent EU clarifications make it clearer when member states can rely on a third country to receive returned applicants.
The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, with 720 members (MEPs) elected every five years by citizens of all 27 member states. Portugal elects 21 MEPs through proportional representation.
The Parliament co-legislates with the Council of the EU on most EU law, approves the EU budget, and scrutinizes EU institutions including the European Commission. Its decisions affect Portuguese citizens through EU regulations on trade, agriculture, environmental standards, consumer protection, digital markets, and more.
Portuguese MEPs sit in European political groups aligned with their domestic parties — for example, PS MEPs in the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), PSD/CDS in the European People's Party (EPP), and Chega in the Patriots for Europe group. Key committees where Portuguese interests feature prominently include fisheries, cohesion policy, and economic affairs.
