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Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/464 26.2.2026
REGULATION (EU) 2026/464 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 24 February 2026
amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin
at Union level
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 78(2), point (d), thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(1),
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(2),
Whereas:
(1) Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and the Council(3), specific rules apply where an
applicant comes from a safe country of origin. In particular, the examination of an application has to be accelerated
and, if the applicant has not yet been authorised to enter the territory of the Member States, a Member State may
examine the merits of an application in a border procedure.
(2) Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 provides for the possibility to designate third countries as safe countries of origin at
Union level in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Regulation. It is necessary to strengthen the
application of the concept of safe country of origin as an essential tool to support the swift examination of
applications that are likely to be unfounded by designating third countries as safe countries of origin. It is also
necessary to address some of the existing divergences between Member States’ national lists of safe countries of
origin. Therefore, a list of safe countries of origin at Union level should be established. While Member States retain
the right to apply or introduce legislation that allows for the national designation of third countries as safe countries
of origin other than those designated as such at Union level, such common designation at Union level should ensure
that the concept of safe country of origin is applied by all Member States in a uniform manner in relation to
applicants whose countries of origin are designated as safe countries of origin.
(1) Opinion of 23 October 2025 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) Position of the European Parliament of 10 February 2026 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of
23 February 2026.
(3) Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for
international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU (OJ L, 2024/1348, 22.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/
eli/reg/2024/1348/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/oj 1/12EN
OJ L, 26.2.2026
(3) The fact that a third country is considered as a safe country of origin, either at Union or at national level, cannot
constitute an absolute guarantee of safety for nationals of that country, even for those who do not belong to
a category of persons for which an exception is made when designating that country as a safe country of origin, and
therefore does not dispense with the need to conduct an individual examination of the application for international
protection. By its very nature, the assessment of whether a third country should be designated as a safe country of
origin can only take into account the general, civil, legal and political circumstances in that country and whether
actors of persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are subject to sanction in practice
when found liable in that country. Member States may apply the concept of safe country of origin only where the
applicant cannot provide elements justifying why the concept of safe country of origin is not applicable to him or
her, in the framework of an individual assessment, and provided that the applicant has the nationality of that country
or provided that he or she is a stateless person and was formerly habitually resident in that country. The application
of the concept of safe country of origin in the framework of the individual assessment is without prejudice to the fact
that certain categories of applicants may find themselves in a specific situation in the third countries designated as
safe countries of origin and may therefore have a well-founded fear of being persecuted or face a real risk of suffering
serious harm.
(4) The assessment of whether a third country should be designated as a safe country of origin is based on a range of
relevant and available sources of information, including information from Member States, the European Union
Agency for Asylum (the ‘Asylum Agency’) established by Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 of the European Parliament
and of the Council(4), the European External Action Service, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
and other relevant international organisations. The assessment also takes into account, where available, the common
analysis of the country of origin information referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2303, in accordance
with Regulation (EU) 2024/1348. Based on a range of such sources of information, a number of third countries are
considered to qualify as safe countries of origin.
(5) The designation of a third country as a safe country of origin under Article 62 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 is
based on information from reliable, official and duly substantiated relevant and available sources. Moreover, that
designation reflects the general situation in that country and is not affected by the individual circumstances, which
may only be assessed for the purposes of determining whether the concept of safe country of origin should
exceptionally not be applied in a specific case. Therefore, in the context of national judicial review, the detailed
evidence regarding an applicant’s individual situation justifying the applicability of the concept of safe country of
origin should be the main purpose of that assessment. In accordance with the Treaties, the Court of Justice of the
European Union is competent to rule on any doubts on the validity of a designation of a third country as a safe
country of origin at Union level.
(6) With regard to a country that has been granted the status of candidate State for accession to the Union (‘candidate
country’), the Treaty on European Union (TEU) sets out the conditions and principles to which any country wishing
to become a Member State must conform. Those conditions and principles were established by the Copenhagen
European Council in 1993 (the ‘Copenhagen criteria’) and strengthened by the Madrid European Council in 1995.
The Copenhagen criteria are the following: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human
rights and respect for and protection of minorities, a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with
competitive pressure and market forces within the Union, and the ability to take on the obligations of Union
membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body
of Union law, and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.
(4) Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2021 on the European Union Agency for
Asylum and repealing Regulation (EU) No 439/2010 (OJ L 468, 30.12.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2303/oj).
2/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/ojEN
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(7) A country is granted candidate country status by the European Council through a unanimous decision, on the basis
of an opinion from the Commission, drawn up following the country’s application for Union membership. With
regard, in particular, to the political criteria for Union membership, the candidate countries were found to have
advanced towards reaching the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and
respect for and protection of minorities. It can, therefore, be concluded that those third countries that have been
granted candidate country status should be considered as safe countries of origin within the meaning of Regulation
(EU) 2024/1348 and should accordingly be designated as safe countries of origin at Union level. Those designations
are without prejudice to any future decisions to be taken by the European Council or by the Council on the
admission of candidate countries into the Union. However, due account should be taken of the fact that the situation
in a candidate country could change to the extent that the designation of that country as a safe country of origin
should no longer apply. Therefore, this Regulation should provide that the designation of a third country that has
been granted candidate country status as a safe country of origin should no longer be applied where any of the
following circumstances apply: there is a serious threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate
violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict in the third country; restrictive measures within the
meaning of Title IV of Part Five of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) have been adopted in
view of the third country’s actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms that are relevant for the designation as
a safe country of origin; or the Union-wide recognition rate pertaining to the applicants from the third country is
higher than 20 % of the total number of decisions for that third country issued by the determining authority.
Member States should not apply the concept of safe country of origin to applicants from a candidate country during
the period in which the circumstances provided for by this Regulation persist.
(8) In considering whether a serious threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations
of international or internal armed conflict exists in a candidate country, a broad range of relevant sources of
information, including information from any relevant institution, body, office or agency of the Union or an
international organisation should be taken into account. In particular, it should be taken into account whether the
European Council or the Council has acknowledged the existence of a situation of international or internal armed
conflict in the candidate country concerned, including whether a Council Decision has been adopted in accordance
with Article 5 of Council Directive 2001/55/EC(5)as a consequence of the existence of a situation of armed conflict.
Similarly, when considering whether there is no longer a serious threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of
indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict in a candidate country, the fact that
the European Council or the Council has acknowledged that the relevant circumstances have ceased to exist should
be taken into account, including where a Council Decision has been adopted in accordance with Article 6 of
Directive 2001/55/EC as a consequence of the end of a situation of armed conflict.
(9) It is essential that the designation of candidate countries as safe countries of origin is applied uniformly in all
Member States, including as regards the circumstances set out in this Regulation where those countries should no
longer be considered as safe countries of origin. To facilitate the uniform implementation of this Regulation and to
provide legal certainty, the Commission should continuously monitor the situation in the candidate countries and
inform the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council where, on the basis of the available
information, any of those circumstances apply or cease to apply in one of those countries, making such information
immediately and publicly available through the publication of a notice in the C series of the Official Journal of the
European Union. In view of the potential implications for the external relations of the Union and the Member States,
the Commission should not inform the Member States and the European Parliament of the fact that a serious threat
to a civilian’s life or person exists by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal
armed conflict in a candidate country without the prior approval of the Council. Accordingly, before informing the
Member States and the European Parliament of any serious threat by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations
of international or internal armed conflict in a candidate country, the Commission should notify the Council, which
should give its prior approval.
(5) Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx
of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing
the consequences thereof (OJ L 212, 7.8.2001, p. 12, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2001/55/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/oj 3/12EN
OJ L, 26.2.2026
(10) With regard to Kosovo(*), according to the information from the Asylum Agency, 16 Member States currently
designate Kosovo as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants
from Kosovo was 5 % in 2024. Kosovo is a potential candidate for Union membership. Its Constitution incorporates
the main international human rights instruments. Kosovo is a multi-party parliamentary representative democracy
with a separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial institutions and the relevant legal
framework is in line with European standards. In general its legal framework guarantees the protection of
fundamental rights and it is in line with European standards. There are no indications of expulsion, removal or
extradition of citizens of Kosovo to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the death penalty,
torture, persecution or other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is no risk of serious harm in Kosovo within the
meaning of Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council(6). Under the
national law of Kosovo there is no death penalty and authorities of Kosovo show commitment to the prevention of
torture and ill treatment. There is no armed conflict taking place in Kosovo and therefore no threat exists by reason
of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict. There is no persecution in Kosovo
within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(11) With regard to Bangladesh, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, six Member States currently
designate Bangladesh as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants
from Bangladesh was 4 % in 2024. The country has ratified some international human rights instruments.
Bangladesh is a parliamentary republic governed by a constitution, which prescribes the separation of powers
between the executive and judiciary. There are no indications of expulsion, removal or extradition of citizens of
Bangladesh to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the death penalty, torture, persecution,
or other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no real risk of serious harm within the meaning of
Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347. Although Bangladesh retains the death penalty and did not sign the
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the
death penalty, death sentences are rarely carried out. Bangladesh has ratified the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. There is no armed conflict taking place in
Bangladesh and therefore no threat exists by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or
internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution in the country within the meaning of Article 9 of
Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(12) With regard to Colombia, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, no Member State currently
designates Colombia as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants
from Colombia was 5 % in 2024. The country has ratified the main international human rights instruments. The
1991 Constitution and ensuing jurisprudence by the Constitutional Court provide for strong human rights
guarantees. Colombia is a federal republic with a democratic representative political system and a separation of
powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. There are no indications of widespread expulsion,
removal or extradition of citizens of Colombia to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the
death penalty, torture, persecution, or other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no risk of serious
harm in Colombia within the meaning of Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347, except in specific rural areas
with no integral presence of the State. The death penalty is prohibited under the Colombian Constitution. Its legal
framework prohibiting torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is in line with international
standards. There is no generalised threat by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or
internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution in the country within the meaning of Article 9 of
Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the
Kosovo declaration of independence.
(6) Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of
third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for
persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC
and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L, 2024/1347, 22.5.2024, ELI: http://data.
europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1347/oj).
4/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/ojEN
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(13) With regard to Egypt, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, six Member States currently designate
Egypt as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants from Egypt was
4 % in 2024. The country has ratified the main international human rights instruments. Egypt is a republic where
the President serves as both the head of state and the head of the executive. There are no indications of expulsion,
removal or extradition of citizens of Egypt to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the
death penalty, torture, persecution, or other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no real risk of
serious harm within the meaning of Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347. Although Egypt retains the death
penalty under the Penal Code and military laws, Egypt has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Egypt has declared in its National Strategy for Human Rights its
intention to reform the law on pre-trial detention, ameliorate detention conditions, limit the number of crimes
punished by death and enhance the culture of human rights across all government institutions. Effective
implementation is needed, progress having so far been made in the institutional track. There is no armed conflict
taking place in Egypt and therefore no threat exists by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international
or internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution in the country within the meaning of Article 9 of
Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(14) With regard to India, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, nine Member States currently designate
India as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants from India was
2 % in 2024. The country has ratified the main international human rights instruments. India is a constitutional
republic and a parliamentary democracy. There are no indications of expulsion, removal or extradition of citizens of
India to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the death penalty, torture, persecution, or
other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no real risk of serious harm within the meaning of
Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347. India retains the death penalty in its criminal law and did not sign the
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the
death penalty, nevertheless, the death penalty has not been applied in practice since 2020. India has signed the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. There is no armed
conflict taking place in India and therefore no threat exists by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of
international or internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution in the country within the meaning of
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(15) With regard to Morocco, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, 11 Member States currently
designate Morocco as a safe country of origin at national level and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants
from Morocco was 4 % in 2024. The country has ratified the main international human rights instruments. Morocco
is a parliamentary monarchy. There are no indications of expulsion, removal or extradition of citizens of Morocco to
countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the death penalty, torture, persecution, or other
inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no real risk of serious harm within the meaning of Article 15
of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347. Morocco has observed a moratorium on the application of the death penalty since
1993, although it retains the death penalty in its criminal law and has not ratified the Second Optional Protocol to
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the death penalty. Morocco has
ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. There is
no armed conflict taking place in Morocco and therefore no threat exists by reason of indiscriminate violence in
situations of international or internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution in the country within the
meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
(16) With regard to Tunisia, according to the information from the Asylum Agency, 10 Member States currently
designate Tunisia as a safe country of origin at national level, and the Union-wide recognition rate for applicants
from Tunisia was 4 % in 2024. The country has ratified the main international human rights instruments. The 2022
Constitution establishes a presidential system. There are no indications of expulsion, removal or extradition of
citizens of Tunisia to countries where there is a risk that they would be subjected to the death penalty, torture,
persecution, or other inhuman or degrading treatment. There is, in general, no real risk of serious harm within the
meaning of Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347. Tunisia has observed a moratorium on the application of the
death penalty since 1991, although it retains the death penalty in its criminal law and has not ratified the Second
Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at the abolition of the death
penalty. Tunisia has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment. There is no armed conflict taking place in Tunisia and therefore no threat exists by reason of
indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict. There is, in general, no persecution
in the country within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/oj 5/12EN
OJ L, 26.2.2026
(17) Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 a third country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where, on
the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and the general political
circumstances, it can be shown that there is no persecution as defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347
and no real risk of serious harm as defined in Article 15 of that Regulation.
(18) Considering that there is, in general, no risk of persecution or serious harm, within the meaning of Regulation (EU)
2024/1347, in Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia, as well as in Kosovo as a potential
candidate for Union membership, as also shown by the very low recognition rates for applicants from those
countries, it should be concluded that those countries satisfy the criteria to be considered safe countries of origin
within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 and that those countries should be designated as safe countries of
origin at Union level. This is without prejudice to the possibility for Member States to designate other third countries
as safe countries of origin at national level and to the possible future designation of additional third countries,
satisfying the conditions set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1348, as safe countries of origin at Union level by means
of future amendments to that Regulation. The Commission should promptly consider any request from a Member
State to assess whether additional third countries could be designated as safe countries of origin at Union level,
taking into account, inter alia, a low Union-wide recognition rate for applicants from those countries.
(19) The designation of countries as safe countries of origin at Union level is without prejudice to the rule set out in
Regulation (EU) 2024/1348, according to which Member States may apply the concept of a safe country of origin
only where applicants cannot provide elements justifying why the concept of safe country of origin is not applicable
to them, in the framework of an individual assessment. In that context, special attention should be paid to applicants
who are in a specific situation in those countries, such as LGBTIQ persons, victims of gender-based violence, human
rights defenders, religious minorities and journalists.
(20) Significant changes in a third country designated as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level
may disproportionately affect specific areas or groups of persons in that country, leading to different protection
needs for certain applicants from that country and the necessity of safeguarding procedural guarantees of those
applicants. Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 introduces the possibility to designate a third country as a safe third country
or a safe country of origin with exceptions for specific parts of that third country’s territory or for clearly identifiable
categories of persons. Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 also provides that the Commission is to suspend the designation
of a third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level by means of a delegated act
where there is a significant change for the worse in the situation of that country. In order to address the situation
where a third country designated as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level no longer
satisfies, for the whole of its territory or for clearly identifiable categories of persons in that country, the material
conditions for such a designation set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1348, the Commission should be empowered to
adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU in order to partially suspend that country’s designation in
respect of specific parts of its territory or for clearly identifiable categories of persons in that country for a period of
six months, where necessary, appropriate and proportionate in view of the significant changes in that country
affecting that part of its territory or that category of persons. Moreover, within 3 months of the adoption of the
delegated act providing for the partial suspension of the third country’s designation as a safe third country or as
a safe country of origin at Union level, the Commission should present a legislative proposal to remove from the
scope of that third country’s designation those parts of its territory to which the suspension applies or those
categories of persons to whom the suspension applies. Where a Member State subsequently notifies the Commission
that it considers, on the basis of a substantiated assessment, that, following changes in the situation of that third
country, it once again fulfils the conditions set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 with respect to the country as
a whole or to specific parts of its territory or to clearly identifiable categories of persons in that third country, the
Commission should propose to amend the designation of that country as a safe third country or as a safe country of
origin accordingly.
6/12 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/ojEN
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(21) Considering that the migratory situation can rapidly change and that there is increased pressure resulting from the
arrivals of mixed migratory flows with a high proportion of persons with low chances of receiving international
protection, Member States should be able to apply Article 42(1), point (j), and Article 42(3), point (e), of Regulation
(EU) 2024/1348 from an earlier date than the general date of application of that Regulation to accelerate the
examination of applications, provided that Member States have transposed the relevant provisions and implemented
the special procedures set out in Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council(7). That
would allow Member States to react quickly and in a flexible manner to changes in the migratory flows. Considering
that applications from such applicants are likely to be unfounded, dealing with them swiftly in an accelerated
procedure or a border procedure would allow the asylum and migration authorities to assess genuine claims more
efficiently, deliver faster decisions and thereby contribute to better and more credible functioning of asylum and
return policies, in full respect of fundamental rights.
(22) Moreover, in order to further take into account complex and actual situations in third countries not designated as
safe third countries or safe countries of origin at Union level, Member States should, when applying or introducing
legislation that allows for the national designation of such countries, be able to do so with exceptions for specific
parts of the territory of such countries or for clearly identifiable categories of persons, before Regulation (EU)
2024/1348 starts to apply.
(23) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely the establishment of a common list of safe countries of origin at
Union level and advancing the application of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348, cannot be achieved
by the Member States and can only be achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with
the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out
in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
(24) In accordance with Article 3 and Article 4a(1) of Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland
in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice, annexed to the TEU and to the TFEU, Ireland has notified, by
letter of 22 July 2025, its wish to take part in the adoption and application of this Regulation.
(25) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the TEU and to the
TFEU, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its
application.
(26) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter
of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
(27) In light of the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 from 12 June 2026 and in order to provide legal certainty
as soon as possible, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication.
(28) Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 60, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
‘4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 74 concerning the suspension,
in whole or in part, of the designation of a third country as a safe third country at Union level, subject to the conditions
as set out in Article 63.’;
(7) Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on common procedures for granting and
withdrawing international protection (OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 60, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/32/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/464/oj 7/12EN
OJ L, 26.2.2026
(2) in Article 61, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
‘1. Third countries may only be designated as safe countries of origin in accordance with this Regulation where, on
the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and the general political
circumstances, it can be shown that there is no persecution as defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 and
no real risk of serious harm as defined in Article 15 of that Regulation.’;
(3) Article 62 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
‘1. Third countries may be designated as safe countries of origin at Union level in accordance with the conditions
laid down in Article 61 and this Article.’;
(b) the following paragraphs are inserted after paragraph 1:
‘1a. The third countries listed in Annex II to this Regulation are designated as safe countries of origin at Union
level.
1b. A third country that has been granted the status of candidate State for accession to the Union is also
designated as a safe country of origin at Union level, except where one or more of the following circumstances
apply:
(a) there is a serious threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of
international or internal armed conflict in that third country;
(b) restrictive measures within the meaning of Title IV of Part Five of the TFEU have been adopted in view of that
third country’s actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms that are relevant for the criteria of designation
of a third country as a safe country of origin as set out in Article 61 of this Regulation;
(c) the proportion of decisions by the determining authority granting international protection to the applicants
from that third country – either its nationals or former habitual residents in case of stateless persons – is higher
than 20 % of the total number of decisions for that third country issued by the determining authority according
to the latest available yearly Union-wide average Eurostat data.
Where any of the circumstances referred to in the first subparagraph, points (a) to (c), apply, or cease to apply, the
Commission shall immediately inform the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council thereof. In the
case of point (a) of this paragraph, the Commission shall obtain the prior approval of the Council before informing
the Member States and the European Parliament.’;
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
‘4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 74 concerning the
suspension, in whole or in part, of the designation of a third country as a safe country of origin at Union level,
subject to the conditions as set out in Article 63.’;
(4) Article 63 is replaced by the following:
‘Article 63
Suspension and removal of the designation of a third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of
origin at Union level
1. In the event of significant changes in the situation of a third country which is designated as a safe third country or
as a safe country of origin at Union level, the Commission shall conduct a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by
that third country of the conditions set out in Article 59 or 61 and, where the Commission considers that those
conditions are no longer met, in whole or in part, the following provisions shall apply:
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(a) where the conditions set out in Article 59 or 61 are no longer met in relation to specific parts of the third country’s
territory or in relation to clearly identifiable categories of persons in that third country, the Commission shall adopt
a delegated act in accordance with Article 74 to partially suspend the designation of that third country as a safe
third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level for those parts of that third country’s territory or for those
categories of persons for a period of six months;
(b) where the conditions set out in Article 59 or 61 are no longer met in relation to the third country as a whole, the
Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 74 to fully suspend the designation of that third
country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level for a period of six months.
2. The Commission shall continuously review the situation in the third country referred to in paragraph 1 taking
into account, inter alia, information provided by the Member States and the Asylum Agency regarding subsequent
changes in the situation of that third country.
3. Where the Commission has adopted a delegated act in accordance with paragraph 1, point (a) or (b), suspending
the designation of a third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level for all or specific
parts of that third country’s territory or for all or for clearly identifiable categories of persons in that third country, it
shall, within three months of the date of adoption of that delegated act, submit a proposal, in accordance with the
ordinary legislative procedure, in order to:
(a) amend that third country’s designation as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level to provide
for exceptions to the designation for the specific parts of territory or for the clearly identifiable categories of persons
covered by the delegated act adopted pursuant to paragraph 1, point (a); or
(b) remove that third country’s designation as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level.
4. Where the Commission has not submitted a proposal as referred to in paragraph 3 within three months of the
adoption of the delegated act as referred to in paragraph 1, the delegated act shall cease to have effect. Where the
Commission submits such a proposal within three months of the adoption of the delegated act as referred to in
paragraph 1, the Commission shall be empowered, on the basis of a substantiated assessment, to extend the validity of
that delegated act for a period of six months, with a possibility to renew that extension once.
5. Without prejudice to paragraph 4, where the proposal submitted by the Commission to remove or amend the
designation of a third country as a safe third country or a safe country of origin at Union level is not adopted within 15
months from when the proposal was submitted by the Commission, the full or partial suspension of the designation of
the third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level shall cease to have effect.’;
(5) in Article 64, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
‘2. Where the designation of a third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level has
been fully or partially suspended, by means of a delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 63(1), point (a) or (b),
Member States shall not designate that country as a safe third country or a safe country of origin at national level.
3. Where the designation of a third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level has
been removed or amended in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, a Member State may notify the
Commission that it considers that, following changes in the situation of that country, it again fulfils the conditions set
out in Article 59(1) or Article 61.
The notification shall include a substantiated assessment of the fulfilment by that third country of the conditions set out
in Article 59(1) or Article 61, including an explanation of the specific changes in the situation of the third country
which make that country fulfil those conditions again. Where applicable, the Member State shall specify in its
notification the specific parts of that third country’s territory to which, or the clearly identifiable categories of persons
in that third country to whom, its assessment applies.
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Following the notification, the Commission shall request the Asylum Agency to provide it with information and
analysis on the situation in the third country.
Where the third country notified by the Member State has had its designation as a safe third country or as a safe country
of origin at Union level removed pursuant to Article 63(3), point (b), the notifying Member State may only designate
that third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at national level provided that the Commission
does not object to that designation.
The Commission’s right of objection shall be limited to a period of two years after the date on which that third country’s
designation as a safe third country or a safe country of origin at Union level has been removed. Any objection by the
Commission shall be issued within a period of three months after the date of each notification by the Member State and
after due review of the situation in that third country, having regard to the conditions set out in Articles 59(1) and 61.
Where the Commission considers that the conditions set out in Article 59(1) or 61 are once again fulfilled with regard
to all or specific parts of the third country’s territory or all or clearly identifiable categories of persons in the third
country covered by the notification received pursuant to the first subparagraph of this paragraph, it may submit
a proposal to amend this Regulation, in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, in order to designate that
third country as a safe third country or as a safe country of origin at Union level with regard to all or specific parts of
that third country’s territory in which or with regard to all or clearly identifiable categories of persons in relation to
whom those conditions are met.’;
(6) in Article 78, paragraph 2, the words ‘the Annex’ are replaced by ‘Annex I’;
(7) Article 79 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 2, the following subparagraph is added:
‘However, Article 59(2), Article 61(2) and Article 61(5), point (b) of this Regulation shall apply from 27 February
2026 as regards the application of the concept of safe country of origin in accordance with Articles 36 and 37 of
Directive 2013/32/EU and that of safe third country in accordance with Article 38 of Directive 2013/32/EU.’;
(b) in paragraph 3, the following subparagraph is added:
‘A Member State may apply Article 42(1), point (j), and Article 42(3), point (e) of this Regulation as grounds for the
accelerated examination procedure in accordance with Article 31(8) of Directive 2013/32/EU or for the procedure
conducted at the border or in transit zones in accordance with Article 43 of Directive 2013/32/EU before 12 June
2026 if it has transposed the relevant provisions and implemented the special procedures set out in those Articles at
national level before 27 February 2026.’;
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
‘4. For Member States not bound by Directive 2013/32/EU, references thereto in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this
Article shall be construed as references to Directive 2005/85/EC.’;
(8) the sole Annex is numbered as ‘Annex I’;
(9) the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation is added as Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2024/1348.
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Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States in accordance
with the Treaties.
Done at Brussels, 24 February 2026.
For the European Parliament For the Council
The President The President
R. METSOLA C. KOMBOS
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ANNEX
‘ANNEX II
The following third countries are designated as safe countries of origin at Union level:
Bangladesh
Colombia
Egypt
India
Kosovo(*)
Morocco
Tunisia
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ
Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.’.
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