Kosovo included on EU security list under new asylum rules

European Parliament has adopted significant changes to the European asylum system Tuesday, including the creation of a joint list of countries of origin considered safe across the EU.

Among the states involved in the list is Kosovo.

Under new regulations, countries such as Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia will be called safe countries of origin for their citizens when they apply for asylum in the EU countries.

In practice, this means that Kosovo citizens and other countries seeking asylum in the EU may experience accelerated procedures.

Under the new rules, the burden of evidence will remain on the applicant to demonstrate that the safe country's provision should not be implemented in its specific case, due to a fear well-based by persecution or the risk of serious injury if it returns to its country of origin.

EU candidate countries will also be considered safe orgy countries, unless relevant circumstances indicate otherwise.

Such circumstances include indiscriminately violence in the context of an armed conflict, a degree of recognition of asylum across the EU for their citizens exceeding 20%, or imposing economic sanctions on actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

The new regulations will come into force following the final approval by the EU Council and are expected to start implementing by law from June 2026, under broader reforms of EU migration and asylum policy.