Europe splits over migrant returns as Spain refuses Italy transfers

A fresh European migration dispute could leave Italy facing thousands of transfer requests, as Spain refuses to follow the EU’s new rules for sending asylum seekers back to the country where they first entered the bloc. Sweden has confirmed it will apply the new system and return migrants to Italy, following Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Finland.

Spain, however, has taken a different stance, preferring to handle Dublin transfers through EU solidarity mechanisms instead of individual bilateral agreements. The issue is particularly sensitive for Spain, as it is currently dealing with a major migration crisis in Ceuta. Eurostat data shows that Italy received 109,427 transfer requests from 2023 to 2025, involving migrants who entered the EU through Italy and later applied for asylum in another member state.

The European Migration and Asylum Pact, which came into force on June 12, has reignited the debate over responsibility for asylum applications. Sweden's decision to follow the new rules and expect all member states to comply has brought the issue to the forefront once again. Spain's refusal to join the push to return migrants to Italy highlights the growing divide between countries that favor bilateral returns and those that advocate for EU-wide solutions.

The disagreement is particularly relevant for Spain, as it already faces the consequences of a major migration crisis in Ceuta and has imposed border checks on arrivals from Italy and Spain. The European Commission has noted that Italy has rejected 12 transfers since the new pact came into force, highlighting the challenges of implementing the system.