Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain continue to be considered under migration pressure by the European Commission, despite an improvement in the overall situation across the EU for a second consecutive year.
The finding is included in the European Commission’s second Annual Report on Asylum and Migration, published on Friday.
The report is the first since the full implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on June 12, 2026.
Irregular crossings in Cyprus fall by 34%
According to the report, irregular border crossings into Cyprus fell by 34% between July 2025 and June 2026.
The decline was mainly attributed to a significant reduction in arrivals from Syria and continued cooperation with Lebanese authorities.
However, when measured against its GDP and population, Cyprus remains among the EU countries facing the greatest migration pressure. It ranks third in the bloc for irregular arrivals and second for applications for international protection.
The Commission said Cyprus faces disproportionate responsibilities due to registrations for temporary protection, irregular border crossings, asylum applications and a strained returns system.
Cyprus records by far the highest number of return decisions relative to its size among EU member states. It also ranks first in completed returns and is among five member states that account for more than half of all returns across the EU.
Cyprus among four countries eligible for Solidarity Pool
Cyprus is one of four member states, alongside Greece, Italy and Spain, eligible to access the EU’s Solidarity Pool because of the significant migration pressure they face.
Regarding Italy, the report says solidarity measures in its favour will only be implemented after the Solidarity Technical Forum has been informed of the results of the monitoring process. This is due to continuing doubts over the effective resumption of Dublin transfers.
Irregular arrivals fall across the EU
At EU level, irregular entries fell by 32% between July 2025 and June 2026, while applications for international protection dropped by 16%, to 730,800.
The Commission expects a further decline in 2027.
Meanwhile, the EU return rate increased to 31%, compared with 26% previously.
Greece, however, moved against the overall trend, recording the highest number of irregular crossings and asylum applications relative to its GDP and population. Arrivals in Crete increased by 105%.
European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said Greece remained particularly important for migration management in Europe and played a major role in collective efforts to keep irregular migration low.
Although arrivals along the Eastern Mediterranean route had declined overall, Greece continued to face challenges, particularly due to arrivals from Libya, he said.
“We are working with partner countries along the eastern corridor to prevent these dangerous journeys,” Brunner added.
Spain and 15 other countries also face migration risks
Spain was also classified as being under migration pressure following an incident in Ceuta on July 30–31, when approximately 72,000 people reportedly entered irregularly from Morocco.
The Commission identified a further 15 member states as being at risk of migration pressure: Croatia, Czechia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Ireland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland.
Brunner said the EU’s new approach to migration was producing significant results, with irregular migration, asylum applications and unauthorised movements within the EU declining, while returns were increasing.
He said irregular migration had fallen by 55% over the past two years. Arrivals along the Western Balkans route, which had previously posed the greatest challenge, had declined by 95% in recent years, while the Western African route towards the Central Mediterranean had fallen by 80% over the past year.
EU countries record lower asylum figures
Brunner also highlighted developments in individual member states.
Sweden has recorded its lowest figures ever, while Denmark has reported its lowest numbers in 40 years.
Austria is returning more people than the number of asylum applications it receives, for the first time in more than two decades.
In Germany, asylum applications have fallen by 80% compared with two years ago, the Commissioner said.
EU to agree on 2027 solidarity arrangements
Following the publication of the annual report, the Council of the EU must convene the High-Level Solidarity Forum within 15 days.
The meeting will seek to agree on the size of the Solidarity Pool for 2027 and the contribution of each member state.
The Commission said its 2027 assessment of the Migration and Asylum Pact would determine whether targeted adjustments are needed.
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