# Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called for new EU rules on handling irregular arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants to come into force in 2025, a year ahead of schedule. His appeal comes as Spain is grappling with a surge in migrant arrivals and as Hungary and the Netherlands are seeking an opt-out from the bloc’s rules on asylum. The new European Union rules, due to come into effect in 2026, aim to share hosting responsibilities across the 27-country bloc and speed up deportations of those deemed ineligible to stay.
Spain wants new EU rules on handling migrants to come into effect a year earlier