EU asylum reform GEAS takes effect, new border centres open in Germany

On 12 June 2026 the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) entered into force across the EU, introducing faster asylum procedures at external borders, a "secondary migration" regime and a solidarity mechanism that obliges high‑arrival states to share costs or take migrants.

Germany opened a specialised border‑procedure facility at Berlin‑Brandenburg airport, part of a plan for 374 places at major airports such as Munich and Frankfurt. The German Interior Ministry says the new rules aim to speed up decisions and curb secondary migration – the movement of asylum seekers from the first EU entry point to other Member States.

Saxony repurposed its former departure centre in Dresden as a secondary‑migration centre with a 400‑person capacity, while other Länder, including Saxony‑Anhalt and Schleswig‑Holstein, are preparing similar sites. The German Cities and Municipalities Association warned of possible administrative burdens for local authorities.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said GEAS will “strengthen trust between Member States and give Europe more control”. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the reform a “turning point in migration policy”.

The reform also includes a “solidarity pool” – states with many arrivals can receive financial aid or take over asylum seekers. Germany, having received many cases that should have been returned to Italy or Greece, will not make an additional contribution to the pool for the current year.

Critics, including NGOs and human‑rights groups, argue that the accelerated procedures and confinement‑like centres risk infringing rights, especially for families and children.