Moroccans seeking asylum in the EU now face a serious handicap

This consequence is detailed in a note published on September 10 by the European Parliament’s research service. The document analyzes the implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which entered into force on June 12, 2026.

Morocco is part of the European Union’s common list of countries of origin considered safe, alongside Egypt, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Colombia, India and Kosovo, among others. Countries that are candidates for EU membership are also included.

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This classification means that, in principle, European authorities consider that a Moroccan applicant does not risk persecution or serious harm if they return to their country. According to the note, Moroccan nationals are therefore subject to an accelerated procedure at the border and to a presumption that they do not meet the conditions for obtaining refugee status.

A request that remains possible, but more difficult

Morocco’s inclusion on this list does not prevent a Moroccan from applying for asylum and does not automatically result in their case being rejected. Each application must continue to be examined individually. However, the applicant will have to provide sufficiently precise evidence to demonstrate that Morocco is not safe in their personal situation.

They may, in particular, invoke persecution linked to their political opinions, religion, membership in a social group or any other personal risk covered by asylum law. But the burden of overturning the presumption of safety makes the procedure more difficult than for a national of a country not included on the list.

At the Union’s external border, applicants may also be subject to strict preliminary screening. The authorities have a maximum of seven days to verify their identity, carry out security and health checks, and examine any vulnerabilities they may have. The new Eurodac system also provides for the collection of fingerprints, facial images and passport data.

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The accelerated procedure does not remove fundamental safeguards or avenues for appeal. It does, however, allow administrations to process more quickly cases they consider unlikely to succeed and to prepare the return of people whose applications have been rejected.

These rules concern only Moroccans seeking international protection. They do not affect nationals of the kingdom who hold a visa, a work permit, a family or student residence permit. Morocco’s classification as a safe country therefore does not concern regular immigration, but it significantly changes the conditions under which its citizens can obtain asylum in the European Union.