Expectations lean towards a "modest agreement" on handling refugee arrivals
The European Union (EU) is grappling with a lack of unified stance on the admission of refugees from Afghanistan, as member states grapple with varied positions and significant challenges in reaching a consensus.
Diverse Perspectives Among EU Governments
Some EU countries maintain relatively open asylum policies for Afghans, recognising the serious risks under Taliban rule and continuing to receive Afghan asylum applications, which remain among the highest in the EU asylum system. For instance, the EU+ recorded a steady stream of about 6,500 Afghan asylum applications in May 2025, marking Afghanistan as the second largest nationality seeking protection.
However, other influential states, including Germany, have adopted more restrictive measures, such as the recent suspension of resettlement programs for vulnerable Afghans due to domestic political shifts and concerns about migration management.
There is growing support within the EU for accelerated processing of refugee status and temporary humanitarian protections, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, human rights defenders, journalists, minorities, and LGBTQI individuals.
Obstacles to Achieving EU Consensus
The EU's efforts to reach a consensus on refugee admission are hampered by several factors. Divergent national interests and political climates complicate EU-wide agreements on refugee admission quotas or fair burden-sharing, as member states differ significantly in asylum and migration policy frameworks.
The implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is expected to increase border controls, criminalisation of undocumented migrants, and detention, may be at odds with protective approaches, limiting consensus on reforms that would facilitate Afghan refugee admissions.
Operational and diplomatic hurdles also pose challenges, with efforts to prevent refoulement (forced return), ensure humane treatment of Afghans in neighbouring countries, and coordinate resettlement programs facing practical difficulties, exacerbated by the Taliban's control of Afghanistan and shifting geopolitical alliances.
The Way Forward
EU Parliament Vice President Katarina Barley (SPD) has expressed hope for a compromise in the EU on the admission of refugees from Afghanistan. She believes that funds should be used to improve the conditions in neighbouring countries for the refugees.
As the EU grapples with this complex issue, it is crucial to prioritise the protection of vulnerable individuals, ensure fair and efficient asylum decision-making, and strive for a cohesive EU-level approach that upholds international humanitarian obligations.
[1] Eurostat [2] UNHCR [3] European Parliament [4] Amnesty International [5] Reuters
The political landscape within the European Union (EU) is deeply divided, with migration from war-and-conflicts zones like Afghanistan sparking contrasting policies among member states. Some countries maintain open asylum policies, while others implement more restrictive measures, leading to a general-news topic of discussion.
Despite the growing support for accelerated processing of refugee status and temporary humanitarian protections, achieving a unified EU stance on the admission of refugees from Afghanistan remains elusive due to obstacles such as varied national interests, divergent political climates, and operational and diplomatic hurdles.
