
In 2015, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood before the European Parliament and declared, “Wir schaffen das”—“We can do it.” Over one million refugees fleeing conflict in Syria crossed into Germany, and the continent responded with a humanitarian embrace. It was a moment of moral clarity during one of Europe’s most challenging crises.
Why This Shift?
Nearly a decade later, the open borders of that era are closing. Germany has ramped up land border patrols, Poland has suspended asylum procedures, and the EU’s 2024 Migration Pact heralds tougher external controls. Yet even as refugees face increasing rejection, highly skilled migrants are being welcomed with open arms.
The EU’s Migration Pact, adopted in May 2024, seeks to establish a more uniform asylum process, distributing the burden among member states through a mechanism of relocating 30,000 applicants per year—or paying €20,000 per rejected individual—according to the European Union Agency for Asylum. While some call it a flexible framework, others denounce it as shirking responsibility.
More impactful, however, are the Pact’s provisions for stronger borders: expedited deportations, holding centers akin to detention facilities, and international agreements with nations like Egypt and Tunisia to manage migration flows. These measures are already delivering results, with irregular border crossings dropping by 30% in 2024, as reported by the European Commission. Still, the human toll is severe—over 3,000 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean in 2023, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Dichotomy
Asylum seekers today face increasingly slim chances of success. Approval rates in countries like Belgium and Germany hover around 43% and 44% respectively, weighed down by administrative backlogs and stricter criteria, as detailed by the Asylum Information Database. Some countries have gone further—Poland has halted asylum intake at certain borders, citing security concerns, while Italy has struck a deal with Albania to process asylum applications offshore. All signs point to an emerging “Fortress Europe,” more concerned with deterring entrants than offering refuge.
At the same time, the welcome mat is being rolled out for skilled professionals. In the Netherlands, tech company ASML—vital to the global semiconductor industry—reports that 40% of its workforce is international. CEO Christophe Fouquet warns that limiting such talent flows would jeopardize innovation.
Belgium echoes these priorities. Flanders is simplifying visa processes for engineers to boost its biotech industry, and Wallonia is actively recruiting francophone African healthcare professionals to address labor shortages. Over 1.2 million job vacancies are projected by 2030. Germany has expanded its Skilled Immigration Act as of 2023, and Spain and Portugal are attracting digital nomads with new residency schemes. The message is clear: Europe wants migrants who can code, heal, or build.
Why This Shift?
This selective openness reflects the demographic and economic realities Europe now faces. By 2030, the EU’s working-age population is expected to shrink by 36 million, while the number of retirees will reach 123 million, according to Eurostat. Europe needs labor—but not the kind arriving in boats or at border fences.
Yet this pragmatism draws a moral fault line. “People move because in their countries there is no future, no peace, no stability,” says Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, criticizing the growing “Fortress
Comments
4 responses to “From Open Doors to Closed Borders: Shifting Trends in European Immigration”
-
Oh, brilliant! Who needs a heart when you can just hire some coders? Europe really knows how to roll out the red carpet for the skilled while tossing the rest into the sea—keeping it classy, as always. 😏💼
-
Imagine telling a skilled engineer, “Welcome aboard!” while simultaneously locking the door on everyone else with a suitcase. Classic Europe, eh? 🤷♂️ It’s like saying, “We love diversity—just the good kind, please!” 😂
-
Isn’t it just charming how Europe’s version of “open doors” now comes with a hefty price tag and a security checkpoint? I suppose we fancy ourselves as the bouncers of a nightclub now, welcoming only the VIPs while the rest get the cold shoulder. 🍾🚪
-
Isn’t it charming how Europe has gone from a warm hug for refugees to a strict bouncer at an exclusive club? 🎉 Just remember, if you can code or save a life, you’re in – if not, well, best of luck navigating those ‘closed borders’! 🛑🚪
Last News

EU Commission’s Von der Leyen survives parliament confidence vote by large margin
Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen smoothly survived a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament on Thursday. The vote was initiated mainly by far-right lawmakers accusing her and her team of eroding trust in the EU through illegal actions. The motion for censure was overwhelmingly rejected by the majority of EU lawmakers.
How did Von

King Charles ‘unwise’ to raise borders at Macron state banquet, says Reform deputy leader

Fico: I Seek Early Agreement with the European Commission on Halting Russian Gas Supply

EU Announces €2.3 Billion Aid for Ukraine’s Reconstruction
Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, the European Commission revealed a 2.3 billion euro aid package for Ukraine to assist in its reconstruction following the extensive destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
What is included in the €2.3 billion package?How much destruction has Russia caused in Ukraine?
Russia’s air strikes have seriously impacted the infrastructure

EU Illegal Crossings Decrease by 20% in First Half of 2025, Reports Frontex
This route is also perilous. The International Organization for Migration estimates about 760 people died in the Mediterranean in the first half of this year. In 2024, 2,300 lives were lost in the same area.
Frontex has around 3,000 agents, plan

Environment Ministers Tested for “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment.
Research indicates that some PFAS ca

Diepenbeek: 21 Flats by Dethier to Replace Old Post Office
Diepenbeek (Eurotoday) – The old post office on Kerkstraat in Diepenbeek will be replaced by a green housing project with 21 apartments. Dethier plans 2 L-shaped buildings and a private garden.
As VRT News reported, the old post office on Kerkstraat in Diepenbeek, a municipality in the province of Limburg, Belgium, is being demolished. A new housing project will be built there. Officials mention

EU Considers Halting Israel Relations Amid Gaza Crisis
Alternative options include exclud

EP adopted resolution on China’s raw material export restrictions at Lexmann’s request
As a member of the EP Committee on International Trade (INTA),

Vought SB2U Vindicator: A Naval Aviation Legacy
Introduction
If you have an interest in aviation or you enjoy studying old planes, chances are the Vought SB2U Vindicator will catch your fancy. One might wonder why we concentrate on this plane and not on more famous types of WWII aircraft, such as the 4U Corsair. That is why the Vindicator preceded the Corsair and was used in World War II, but is not very popular. It acted as a basis for subs
Leave a Reply