Resettlement and humanitarian admission mean the admission of non-EU nationals in need of international protection from a non-EU country to which they have been displaced to an EU country where they are granted protection. These are safe and legal alternatives to irregular journeys and a demonstration of European solidarity with non-EU countries hosting large numbers of persons fleeing war or persecution.
Resettlement is based on referrals by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Humanitarian admission is based, when requested by the Member States, on referrals by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the UNHCR, or another relevant international body.
The Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation, adopted in May 2024 as part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, sets a permanent framework and common procedures to enhance safe and legal pathways to protection in the EU. The Regulation entered into force on 11 June 2024.
Resettlement and humanitarian admission schemes
Since 2015, EU-sponsored resettlement schemes, involving a significant number of EU countries, have helped more than 128,000 of the most vulnerable people in need of international protection find shelter in the EU.
Resettlement is also an important element of the EU-Turkey Statement. Since March 2016, more than 43,000 Syrians have been resettled to EU countries. In addition, since 2021, EU countries have carried out 51,000 humanitarian admissions.
17 EU countries pledged more than 29,000 places for resettlement and humanitarian admission for 2023, including continued and expanded support to Afghans in need of protection.
Under the 2024-2025 EU Resettlement and Humanitarian admission scheme, 14 EU countries provided 61,000 pledges for resettlement and humanitarian admission.
In addition to resettlement and humanitarian admission schemes, the EU promotes other complementary pathways to protection linked to education and work. Moreover, the EU promotes community sponsorship schemes to give civil society organisations, communities, and groups of individuals a stronger, more structured role in the reception and integration of refugees arriving through the above-mentioned legal pathways.
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) supports EU countries in the implementation of their resettlement programmes, including through the Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Network, which was created in January 2020.
High-level events
High-level Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Committee, 7 November 2024
On 7 November 2024, the High-level Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Committee met for the first time. Chaired by the Commission, the Committee included representatives from the European Parliament, the Council, EU countries, the EU Agency for Asylum, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and representatives of civil society.
The High-level Committee will support the Commission in the operationalisation of the Union Framework Regulation. It will contribute to the two-year Union Plan setting the number of refugees to be admitted to the EU, and from which countries these admissions should occur. The Council will adopt the two-year Union Plan based on a Commission proposal. The Implementation of the Union Framework Regulation will support partner countries under pressure, strengthen these partnerships, and help prevent dangerous irregular journeys of people who flee war or persecution. The Union Framework Regulation entered into force on 11 June 2024 as the first legislative instrument of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
High-level Forum on legal pathways to protection (online), 29 November 2022
Commissioner Johansson convened the high-level Forum on legal pathways to protection to exchange with Member States, international partners, international organisations and other high-level participants on resettlement and humanitarian admission efforts. The discussion focused on complementary pathways linked to work for people in need of international protection.
More information about the High-level Forum on legal pathways to protection
- The event was recorded.
- Read the press release that followed the event.
High-level Resettlement Forum (online), 9 July 2021
On 9 July 2021, Commissioner Johansson convened a high-level Resettlement Forum with Representatives of the European Union, the United States of America, the Government of Canada, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and civil society representatives with a view to stepping up resettlement and complementary pathways through joint leadership. Read the statement.
Related documents
- Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1364 on legal pathways to protection in the EU: promoting resettlement, humanitarian admission and other complementary pathways
- Commission Recommendation (EU) 2017/1803 on enhancing legal pathways for persons in need of international protection
- Council Conclusions on resettling through multilateral and national schemes 20 000 persons in clear need of international protection