Slovakia has once again been excluded from the list of EU member states eligible for exemptions from contributions to the bloc's migration solidarity mechanism. According to the European Commission's second annual migration report, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Italy will qualify for support in 2027 due to migration pressure.
Slovakia previously requested an exemption for 2026, arguing that it had accepted tens of thousands of refugees from Ukraine. After being excluded from the eligible countries, Slovakia asked the European Commission to reconsider its assessment.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced in June that Slovakia would contribute more than four million euros to the mechanism in 2026 rather than accept over 200 migrants. However, neither the European Commission nor Slovakia's Interior Ministry subsequently confirmed whether the payment had been made.
Under the mechanism, member states can support countries facing migration pressure by relocating asylum seekers, providing financial contributions or offering operational assistance. The final arrangements for 2027, including contributions and exemptions, still require approval by a qualified majority of EU member states.
The Commission also reported an improving migration situation across the EU. Irregular border crossings have fallen by more than half over the past two years, while asylum applications declined by 19 percent in 2025. However, Brussels stressed that further efforts are needed to fully implement the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact.
Source: TASR
