Across the European Union, migration is an increasingly polarizing issue of debate. While in most states, its mention tends to collocate a negative tone, priorities differ, creating obstacles in a permanent collective solution.
What has each state done so far, and what are they doing now to curb migration? Looking at Greece, Finland, and Germany, different methods and reasons emerge, explaining the EU’s sluggish progress on the Common Migration Policy.
Greece: Asylum Ban, Jail Time for Illegals, and Benefit Cuts
Greece has been at the forefront of the incoming migration wave from the Mediterranean. To discourage the dangerous journeys, they introduced a suspension on processing asylum applications for six months, up to 24 months of detention for arrivals with no documentation, and even 2-5 years in prison for rejected asylum seekers that fail to leave the country.
The government promised more measures, not just at the borders but also for those migrants that remain inside the country. Now, Athens is introducing a 30% cut to asylum-seeker benefits (from €400 million to €288 million annually) and the abolishment of rental subsidies to redirect those funds into integration assistance.
“Whoever is granted asylum in Greece will no longer live on subsidies at the expense of European and Greek taxpayers. They will be given the opportunity to work,” said Migration Minister Thanos Plevris.
The HELIOS integration program, previously used to aid asylum seekers and approved refugees by providing rental subsidies, is to be abolished; its funding will go towards language and vocational training to be “provided with work options and integration through employment, not subsidies.”
The homes HELIOS provided up until now will enter the Athens market, while independent housing will be moved outside the city center. Financial support for those with approved asylum is to be reduced by up to 50%, just adhering to mandatory EU levels.
However, asylum approval can take years, during which time migrants are dependent on these subsidies and NGOs’ work. US and EU aid cuts are forcing NGOs to downscale their operations, driving those who are unable to leave into homelessness.
Germany: Ending Fast-Track Citizenship, Closing Borders, Lowering Asylum Benefits
The German Bundestag struggles with a continuous fear: the looming influence of the far-right AfD, now labelled as an extremist organization. The government and its allies have been pushing the most contentious issue propelling their rise: migration.
This resulted in the closing of borders and the rejection of all asylum seekers, cutting welfare benefits for non-nationals, and suspending family reunification.
Now, the government turned on a law introduced by the previous, centrist government, which allows for dual citizenship and allowed naturalization after 5 years of residency. The legislation also created a 3-year fast-track for skilled workforce towards naturalization.
The Merz government is delivering on its election campaign promise to rescind the fast-track, but critics argue this only deters highly qualified migrant workers from moving into the country that is struggling with labor shortages.
The fast-track citizenship did not affect many people: it required advanced German language skills, sufficient income, and proof of engaging in German society, such as volunteering.
Of the 300,000 naturalizations recorded in 2024, only a few hundred utilized the fast-track path.
“A German passport must come as recognition of a successful integration process and not act as an incentive for illegal immigration,” interior minister Alexander Dobrindt told parliament. The rest of the original legislation, including allowing applications for naturalization after 5 years, remains in place.
Finland: Restrictions Create Hollow Integration
Finland’s current government, in power since 2023, has focused on migration policy as well. The Border Security Act, passed in 2024 for one year, allowed border guards to prevent irregular entries by turning people away at the border. This was extended for another year to combat instrumentalized migration, which the country experienced at its extensive border with Russia in 2022.
When an entry is rejected, entry bans become valid as well, which can span from 5 to 15 years of validity and usually prohibit entry to the entirety of the EU and Schengen area. Fortification of the border with a 200-kilometer fence is also in the works, with a 35-kilometre stretch already completed.
Changes affected migrants already inside the state as well. Work-based residence permits were changed to expire after three months of unemployment, except for EU Blue Card holders, specialists, those who held work-based residence permits for longer than two years, and senior to middle enterprise managers, who have six months.
The government also cut federal aid set for migrant integration: by €58 million this year, with an expected additional cut of €52 million next year, and passing the responsibility of the process to localized municipalities.
Finland, like many others, is experiencing a demographic decline, lacking enough taxpayers and workers, but refuses to fill this gap with migrants. Critics fear there are more restrictions coming, which will make NGOs and migrant lives even more difficult.
Tendency Across the Union
Across the European Union, anti-migration agenda spreads: in Western countries it tends to stem from far-right parties rising and centrist governments hoping to keep them out of power by appeasing their policies. In states like Greece and Finland, this sentiment stems from a recent peak in illegal crossings.
This then continues into the closure of state borders, seizure of asylum application processing, and finally constricting migrant rights inside the country – illegal ones first, then legalized migrants.
Human rights organizations and NGOs hoping to aid migrants in integration are frequently sidelined as asylum systems are overloaded and/or political extremism spreads. The demographic and economic need for immigrants is also frequently ignored.
But the two strains of anti-migration politics also clash: those states who are overwhelmed by asylum applications are hoping to share the burden with states that are attempting to deport and reject as many migrants as possible to appease growing far-right support.
The European Commission is in the process of naming countries under pressure from migration to propose solidarity measures as part of the Common Migration Pact. This would involve accepting migrants from those struggling or providing cash and staff to help manage the load. As migration laws tighten, reaching consensus seems ever unlikely.
