Published in July 2025, the Asylum and Migration Overview 2024 by the European Migration Network (EMN) offers a detailed look back at how European countries responded to labour market demands, migration pressures, and asylum challenges during 2024.
The report offers an in-depth review of trends, reforms, and operational shifts observed across 35 participating countries in 2024. The EMN, coordinated by the European Commission, includes EU Member States (except Denmark) as well as observer countries such as Norway, Georgia, and Serbia. Its findings are based on Eurostat data and official national statistics and policy sources.
The 2024 edition reflects a year marked by fundamental change: the adoption of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, a wave of digital transformation in migration procedures, and a shift toward more strategic, skills-focused labour migration. For Slovenia, which is increasingly shaped by demographic challenges, workforce demands, and shifting regional dynamics, understanding these trends is essential for both public policy and private sector planning.
Legal Migration and Labour Market Needs: From Shortages to Structured Solutions
Migration policy in 2024 was shaped by economic needs. With persistent shortages in sectors such as healthcare, IT, transport, and agriculture, many EU and EMN countries introduced flexible and targeted legal migration channels.
Key EU-level changes:
Directive (EU) 2024/1233 (Single Permit Directive) simplified the process for third-country nationals to live and work in the EU and strengthened worker protections.
EU Talent Pool (under negotiation) and Talent Partnerships were promoted to match third-country talent with EU employers more efficiently.
Notable national examples:
Germany enabled asylum seekers and individuals under “tolerated stay” (Duldung) to transition to skilled worker permits. For example, a Syrian national with vocational training in Germany could apply for a residence permit without leaving the country, provided they met job and language criteria.
Italy launched a digital fast-track scheme for hiring workers in critical sectors like caregiving and agriculture. Employers could submit requests through an online portal and receive priority processing.
Lithuania and Hungary tightened criteria for low-skilled workers while incentivising the entry of engineers and IT professionals through higher salary thresholds and qualification recognition schemes.
Poland allowed Ukrainian citizens to start work based on a simple online employer notification, avoiding delays.
These efforts reflect a coordinated attempt to regulate migration through demand-driven channels. In Slovenia, where the private sector depends increasingly on foreign workers, aligning recruitment practices with these EU-level changes is essential.
Digitalisation of Migration and Asylum Procedures
Digitalisation was one of the most visible cross-cutting trends in 2024. It affected nearly every aspect of migration management, from application submission to integration services.
Examples from across the EU and beyond:
Belgium launched the Welcome App, providing migrants with tailored, multilingual information about housing, education, healthcare, and employment in the Flanders region.
Ireland piloted tablet-based asylum applications at designated reception centres. Applicants could fill in forms and upload documents using iPads, speeding up data collection and reducing errors.
France continued to enhance its online platform ANEF (Digital Administration for Foreign Nationals), enabling remote case tracking and secure document upload.
Serbia enabled foreign nationals to apply for work and residence permits online from abroad.
In the field of integration:
Estonia developed an interactive digital roadmap for newcomers, featuring legal guidance, housing advice, and access to municipal services.
Finland upgraded databases used by local governments to track progress in language learning and employment of third-country nationals.
In Slovenia, digitalisation of residence and work permit procedures is progressing more slowly, often constrained by fragmented local practices. There is significant room to reduce delays and improve service quality by investing in user-oriented platforms.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum: A New Legal Framework for the EU
After years of negotiation, the EU adopted a legislative package in 2024 known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, with implementation to begin in June 2026.
Key legislative pillars:
Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 (Migration Management Regulation) introduces uniform rules for responsibility-sharing among Member States.
Screening Regulation (EU) 2024/1356) mandates identity, health, and security checks for all irregular migrants and asylum seekers at external borders.
Return Border Procedure Regulation (EU) 2024/1349) enables fast-track decisions and returns at the border under strict safeguards.
Impact in practice:
At the Hungary–Serbia border, the screening regulation will require biometric registration of all individuals intercepted at entry points.
Greece will need to reorganise its reception system to align with new EU standards on admissibility and border procedures.
Countries like France and Finland will need to revise legal grounds for protection withdrawal and improve judicial safeguards.
The Pact will require significant operational changes, including data exchange between EU agencies, real-time tracking of asylum claims, and coordination of relocation quotas. For Slovenia, proactive legal harmonisation and IT system upgrades are necessary in the next 12 months.
Schengen Governance, Visa Policy, and Border Reform
In 2024, the EU moved decisively to reinforce Schengen governance and external border controls.
Key developments:
Bulgaria and Romania joined Schengen for air and sea borders on 31 March 2024. Land border controls are expected to end by 1 January 2025.
The revised Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2024/1717) clarifies when and how internal border checks can be reintroduced.
New visa rules were introduced. For example:
The Netherlands imposed airport transit visas for nationals of Chad and Senegal due to security concerns.
Poland introduced visa requirements for Colombians conducting paid activities, citing abuse of visa-free travel.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS are also in final phases of rollout. These tools will collect biometric data and screen security risks before travel. Individuals travelling to the EU from visa-exempt countries will need to register via ETIAS and pay a €7 fee.
Slovenian border authorities are part of these changes and must ensure technical readiness for full integration into Schengen-wide systems.
Integration and Conditional Inclusion: Rising Expectations
Integration policies in 2024 reflected a growing focus on conditionality. Access to services and long-term stay often depended on fulfilling specific criteria.
Examples:
France linked residence permit renewal to language proficiency and civic knowledge, verified through formal testing.
Belgium required attendance at civic orientation courses to access municipal housing support.
Portugal expanded free access to early childhood education to promote inclusion from the earliest stages.
Labour market access was also liberalised:
Ireland allowed spouses of critical skills permit holders to work without a separate permit.
Luxembourg fast-tracked family reunification for high-income migrants.
Germany created dedicated integration tracks for healthcare trainees, including language tuition and job coaching.
While such measures improve inclusion outcomes, they also introduce stricter expectations. Migrants are no longer passive recipients of support but must actively demonstrate progress and engagement.
Slovenia has made significant updates to its migration strategy, adopting a new Government Strategy on Migration to replace its 2019 framework. This strategy aims to enhance the management of migration, focusing on the integration of migrants and addressing labor market needs. In response to irregular migration and security concerns, Slovenia has introduced and extended border controls with Croatia and Hungary, reflecting a broader trend among several European countries to tighten border security.
In terms of labor migration, Slovenia has been proactive in addressing labor shortages in various sectors, including hospitality, transport, and agriculture. The government has streamlined access for selected third-country nationals to fill critical roles, particularly in occupations facing acute shortages. Additionally, Slovenia has established monitoring mechanisms for return procedures, ensuring compliance with human rights standards during the return process.
Slovenia’s collaboration with Frontex and participation in regional initiatives, such as the Nordic Cooperation on Return and Reintegration in Iraq (NORAQ), highlights its commitment to effective migration management. The country is also involved in broader EU discussions on migration governance, contributing to the development of policies aimed at enhancing security and facilitating legal migration pathways. Overall, Slovenia’s approach reflects a balance between addressing labor market demands and ensuring the security and integrity of its borders.
Slovenia plays a modest but increasingly strategic role in European migration:
Third-country nationals represent 8.6% of the population as of January 2024.
Asylum applications dropped by 24%, partly due to changes in Balkan migration routes and tightened border controls.
The country maintains basic integration services, such as free language courses and job placement support, but regional disparities persist.
One challenge is bureaucratic inconsistency between municipalities and the central government. Employers face long delays when hiring non-EU nationals. Slovenia has not yet fully digitalised its permit systems, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to neighbouring Austria or Croatia.
Summary: Slovenia’s Position in the 2024 European Migration Context
Slovenia remains a moderately significant transit and destination country within the European migration system. However, several key developments in 2024 reflect broader EU trends and highlight the country’s evolving role:
1. Share of third-country nationals
As of 1 January 2024, 8.6% of Slovenia’s total population were third-country nationals (TCNs), continuing a gradual upward trend.
This places Slovenia among the EU countries with a relatively high proportion of non-EU nationals, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
2. Decrease in asylum applications
Slovenia received 5,465 first-time asylum applications in 2024, marking a 24% decrease compared to 2023.
This significant drop is linked to reduced use of the Western Balkan route and strengthened border control measures.
3. Timeliness and efficiency of procedures
Slovenia remains part of EU-wide efforts to improve the efficiency of asylum and migration procedures.
However, digitalisation of residence and work permit processes is progressing more slowly than in other Member States, leading to delays and reduced legal certainty for applicants.
4. Labour market and employment of foreign nationals
Slovenia’s labour market is increasingly dependent on foreign workers, especially in logistics, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing.
Employers report persistent administrative barriers when hiring third-country nationals, primarily due to slow processing at local administrative units.
5. Integration and inclusion
Slovenia provides basic integration services such as Slovene language courses and access to public healthcare.
The integration system is not centralised and varies significantly between municipalities, limiting consistency in migrant support.
6. Readiness for EU legislative changes
Slovenia must strengthen its legal and operational preparedness for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which enters into force in June 2026.
Adjustments will be required in asylum procedures, return mechanisms, border management, and integration conditions.
Conclusion: Slovenia experienced moderate migration pressure in 2024 but faces growing challenges in attracting and retaining foreign workers and improving administrative efficiency. Targeted reforms in digitalisation, integration, and coordination between state institutions and the private sector will be essential in the coming years.
Practical Implications for Employers and Migrants
Employers should:
Monitor upcoming legal changes, especially around the Pact’s implementation in 2026.
Ensure job offers meet new EU-level standards and are compliant with local rules.
Support integration through orientation, language access, and fair employment practices.
Migrants should:
Use only official platforms when applying for permits or travel authorisations.
Be cautious of scam websites related to ETIAS and visa facilitation.
Invest in language learning and understand local obligations for residence renewal.
SIBIZ Commentary and Recommendations
At SIBIZ, we welcome the EU’s steps toward simplification, greater legal certainty, and the digital transformation of migration systems. These reforms are essential for reducing administrative burdens, improving fairness, and supporting workforce mobility across Europe.
However, there are important risks and challenges that must not be ignored:
Smaller Member States and less-resourced administrations may lag behind in implementing complex new procedures.
Stricter legal criteria and procedural burdens may unintentionally exclude low-skilled but essential workers in sectors like logistics, care work, and construction.
Integration support remains inconsistent across Member States and often fails to reach those who need it most.
We believe that the long-term success of European migration systems depends on three key factors: legal clarity, digital efficiency, and practical integration support.
Our recommendations:
For Slovenia:
Accelerate digitalisation of administrative procedures for residence and work permits.
Standardise practices across different Administrative Units to reduce legal uncertainty for applicants.
Improve coordination between ministries, local authorities, and employers.
For the EU:
Avoid over-regulation that risks creating bottlenecks or excluding urgently needed labour.
Ensure technical and financial support for smaller Member States to meet legislative deadlines.
Invest in practical, locally adapted integration models that go beyond one-size-fits-all policies.
For employers:
Stay informed on upcoming legal reforms at EU and national level.
Ensure job offers and contracts are legally compliant and meet new standards.
Provide clear guidance to foreign employees during the permit and onboarding processes.
Seek professional advice on HR, tax, and compliance risks related to hiring third-country nationals.
For individuals and families:
Use only official platforms and trusted intermediaries when applying for permits or EU entry (especially with ETIAS launching soon).
Prepare in advance: gather documents, understand legal obligations, and invest in language learning.
Be aware of your rights, timelines, and available support services in the host country.
SIBIZ provides expert legal, administrative, and strategic support for individuals business professionals, digital nomads, companies, and corporate clients. We assist clients at every stage of the process.
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