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This analytical report examines how migration will shape the region’s demographic and socio-economic future by 2035 under two trajectories: EU Integration, marked by institutional strengthening and circular mobility, and Strategic Isolation, characterised by governance stagnation and one-way outflows. Countries covered: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo*.

The analysis shows that governance-driven migration management - not fertility - is the decisive factor. In the EU Integration scenario, improved institutions, return migration and regulated labour inflows slow population loss. In the Isolation scenario, demographic decline accelerates, labour shortages intensify and dependence on poorly integrated foreign workers grows, alongside rising exposure to non-EU geopolitical actors. 

Jean-Louis De Brouwer and Malin Frankenhaeuser discussed the key migration policy developments of 2025 and shared their outlook for 2026. As the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum enters into application in June, Member States face a decisive phase marked by operational, legal and political challenges. Amidst the continued geopolitical instability in the EU’s neighbourhood and displacement from Ukraine, migration remains high on the EU’s agenda. Strategic priorities include strengthened migration management and border control, addressing irregular migration, expanding talent attraction and returns, and reinforcing external partnerships. The panellists assessed progress and remaining gaps in these areas and shared their expectations for 2026.

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in Liechtenstein, Romania, Serbia and Spain.

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in North Macedonia, Portugal and Slovenia.

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in Lithuania, Montenegro and Norway.

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg and Slovakia.

We are pleased to present the October-December 2025 edition of the Quarterly Review, featuring the latest updates from the Prague Process.

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands.

On 19-21 November 2025, the General Inspectorate for Immigration (GII) of Romania hosted a Study Visit, which brought together representatives from 11 Prague Process states for an in-depth exchange on labour migration management, legal migration, and digitalisation. The programme combined GII’s expert presentations with site visits to the Constanța County Immigration Service and the Bucharest Immigration Directorate, offering participants a comprehensive overview of Romania’s institutional framework and operational practices on legal and labour migration. Romania is also leading the ongoing Thematic Component 3 on legal and labour migration.

On 18-19 November 2025, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), together with the Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, organised the 8th International Border Management Conference (IBMC) in Amsterdam. Held under the theme “Resilient Borders in a Changing World”, this year’s edition brought together more than 200 delegates from 44 countries, including EU Member States, ICMPD partner countries, and representatives of international organisations, agencies, civil society, and human rights institutions. As in previous years, the Prague Process supported the participation of 23 representatives from its participating non-EU states.