Seven European states move to return asylum seekers to Italy under new migration rules

Seven states invoke transfer procedures

Ireland and the Netherlands have joined Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, and Finland in preparing to transfer asylum seekers back to Italy under European first-country-of-arrival regulations. The announcements bring the group to seven partner nations seeking to return migrants who first entered the European Union through Italian territory. A spokesperson for Ireland's Department of Justice and Migration confirmed that Dublin is processing notifications and transfers under the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) and Dublin III, adhering to the principle that first entry registered in the Eurodac system determines responsibility. The AMMR framework, which replaced Dublin III for asylum applications submitted from 12 June 2026 onward, introduced streamlined criteria and shorter procedural deadlines. In contrast, France and Spain have not initiated transfer procedures toward Italy. Madrid has focused on the solidarity mechanisms outlined in the new pact, while Paris has maintained bilateral cooperation with Rome.

Historical transfer data and rejected requests

Data from the Italian Interior Ministry shows that Rome rejected approximately 80,000 transfer requests from EU member states between 5 December 2022 and 31 December 2025. That three-year pause followed an administrative circular issued by the Viminale that halted incoming Dublin transfers. Ministerial statistics indicate that 17,605 asylum seekers were transferred back to Italy between 2018 and 2022. Annual transfers totaled 3,344 in 2014, 2,963 in 2015, and 4,512 in 2016. Returns climbed to 5,948 in 2017 and reached 6,468 in 2018 before dropping to 5,987 in 2019. In 2020, transfers fell to 1,367, followed by 1,468 in 2021 and 2,315 in 2022.

Domestic political confrontation in Rome

The notifications prompted a dispute between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein. Schlein argued that the return requests represent a diplomatic setback following Italy's suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain after the Ceuta border incident. Schlein contended that the government failed to negotiate shared responsibility and instead preserved the Dublin first-entry rule. Opposition leaders Giuseppe Conte and Matteo Renzi also criticized the government's border management strategy. Meloni responded that border controls and the Migration Pact are entirely separate matters, arguing that previous left-leaning administrations would have accepted incoming transfers passively.

The boomerang of Giorgia Meloni's propaganda stunt of suspending Schengen against Spain is resounding.

New pact rules and transfer volumes

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that transfer volumes have remained minimal since the AMMR took effect on 12 June 2026. Out of approximately 50 transfer requests received over two months under the new rules, only three individuals have arrived in Italy. Piantedosi projected that this rate would amount to roughly 20 returnees per year if trends continue. A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security confirmed technical contacts with Italian officials to establish effective transfer procedures, noting that transfers form an essential part of the pact. Italian officials maintain that the AMMR applies only to asylum seekers who arrived after 12 June 2026, nullifying older pending claims.

The new Asylum and Migration Pact maintains the Dublin mechanism, in force for decades, but introduces relevant and positive innovations in the fight against irregular immigration.