The European Commission allows for the possibility that next year the number of relocations will be less than 30,000 per year, said EC spokesman Markus Lammert. According to him, the solidarity mechanism will not start operating until mid-2026.
In accordance with the so-called annual solidarity pool, under the EU asylum and migration pact, member states will be obliged to relocate at least 30,000 migrants per year. However, the solidarity mechanism will not start operating until 12 June 2026. Therefore, some member states argue that the number of relocations should be reduced by half, since the regulations will not apply before the second half of 2026.
The EC spokesman said at a press briefing in Brussels on Friday that as far as procedures are concerned, the Council of the EU, that is, the member states, must adopt an implementing decision establishing the solidarity pool. Lammert stressed that the Commission’s proposal regarding the solidarity pool is not public in nature, and therefore he cannot comment either on the number of migrants included in it or on the scale of relocations. However, since the first cycle is special, because the pact applies only from mid-year, the Commission is aware that member states may want to reduce the anticipated number of relocations.
“The Commission’s proposal regarding the annual solidarity pool covers the entire year, but the shortened implementation period is an element that the Council may consider in the process preceding the adoption of the solidarity pool, while of course maintaining the balance between solidarity and responsibility,” the spokesman said.
The solidarity mechanism will also be the subject of talks by EU interior ministers on Monday in Brussels.
The asylum and migration pact provides for a choice of one of three options for expressing solidarity with countries facing migratory pressure in the EU. These are: accepting migrants, making a financial contribution, or operational support. States that are struggling with a serious migration situation may apply for full or total exemption from the solidarity pool. In November, the Commission found that this solution applies to six countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia and Poland.
The Polish government applied for a full exemption and its request received a positive opinion from the European Commission. The final decision on excluding some states from the solidarity mechanism will be taken by the Council of the EU by qualified majority voting. The exemption will be valid for one year. (05.12.2025)
