Brussels: Across Europe, there is increasing evidence of a political and public shift toward stricter immigration controls. From Finland to Portugal and Greece to Ireland, countries are gradually adopting tougher stances on migration—a move observers describe as a significant policy realignment driven by changing public sentiment.
Analysts note that even traditionally pro-immigration parties and leaders are rethinking their approaches, reflecting a broader societal fatigue and mounting pressure to prioritise border security and controlled migration. What was once dismissed as fringe or xenophobic rhetoric is now becoming codified into national laws, administrative decrees, and police actions.
Shifts in National Policy
Several European governments have recently enacted or proposed more restrictive immigration policies:
Austria has become the first EU country to deport a Syrian national back to Syria, setting a precedent others may follow. Germany has indicated plans to adopt similar measures.
Greece has temporarily halted the processing of asylum applications from North African nationals due to a spike in unauthorised arrivals on Crete.
Italy has established offshore immigration processing centres in Albania for rejected asylum seekers awaiting deportation.
Tougher Regularisation and Residency Laws
Countries are also narrowing pathways for undocumented migrants to regularise their status:
Portugal has repealed a 2018 law that allowed tourists who had contributed to the social security system for a year to regularise their stay.
Greece recently passed legislation eliminating the possibility for undocumented immigrants to apply for residency—even after residing in the country for seven years.
Stricter Family Reunification Policies
Several governments have also tightened rules for family reunification:
France increased the minimum legal residence period required to apply for family reunification from 12 to 18 months, and now requires proof of basic French language proficiency.
Germany has suspended family reunification rights for individuals granted subsidiary protection for two years.
Austria has introduced a six-month freeze on granting humanitarian status to those who do not meet the formal refugee criteria.
Enhanced Border Security
In response to both geopolitical pressures and rising irregular migration, European countries are ramping up border defences:
Poland has reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania, bolstered by a 186-kilometre metal fence and 24/7 military patrols to prevent unauthorised crossings, particularly from Belarus.
Finland extended a special border security law allowing the immediate return of asylum seekers arriving from Russia until 2026.
France and the United Kingdom have agreed on a “one-in, one-out” policy in the English Channel to curb the number of unauthorised boat crossings.
Growing Social Tensions
The tightening of immigration policies comes amid growing unrest linked to perceptions of uncontrolled migration and its societal impact:
In Torre Pacheco, a town in Spain’s Murcia region, a violent incident involving masked locals left several people injured. While officials cited far-right provocation and rumours as contributing factors, underlying tensions related to overcrowded housing, pressure on public services, and perceived cultural divisions are believed to have played a role.
In 2024, the UK experienced widespread unrest following rumours that a migrant was responsible for the Southport murders. In Northern Ireland, several homes owned by foreign nationals were attacked during similar disturbances.
Public Opinion Reflects Shift
Despite broad support for humanitarian aid, public opinion polls indicate that European citizens increasingly favour more regulated immigration policies:
- 75% of Europeans support assisting refugees, but an equal proportion also endorse stronger EU border controls.
- 67% are in favour of a unified European immigration policy.
- In Spain, a survey found that 70% of respondents support the idea of mass deportations of undocumented migrants.
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