On 12 June 2026, new EU rules on asylum applications came into force. Russia has been added to the list of countries whose citizens are now subject to an accelerated asylum procedure. The decision has already raised concerns among human rights organizations, which argue that the new rules undermine the right to an individual assessment of each case and create additional risks for the most vulnerable groups of applicants.
Here’s how the new system works and what people seeking protection in Europe should be prepared for.
Why Have the Rules Changed Specifically for Russian Citizens?
The European Union applies what is known as the “20% rule.” If the average approval rate for international protection applications from citizens of a particular country falls below 20%, their cases may be processed through an accelerated procedure. According to Eurostat data, the approval rate for Russian nationals currently stands at 18.1%.
According to human rights advocates from Human Rights Watch, this mathematical approach creates a dangerous “presumption of safety,” where authorities may assume in advance that an applicant from such a country is unlikely to require protection.
What Is the Accelerated Procedure and Why Is It Concerning?
The main difference lies in the time limits and reception conditions. Under the new system, authorities have only 12 weeks to process a case, including any appeal. By comparison, standard asylum procedures can take months or even years.
Key risks associated with the accelerated procedure include:
Restrictions on Freedom of Movement
Applicants may effectively be prevented from entering the country and instead accommodated in closed facilities, such as airport transit zones or border reception centers.
Reduced Access to Legal Assistance
Rather than receiving support from a lawyer whose role is to defend the applicant’s interests, individuals at the border are often provided only with an adviser who explains procedural rights.
Extremely Tight Deadlines
Applicants must gather evidence and file appeals within a very short period of time. This can be particularly difficult for people who fled their country in emergency circumstances.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The new rules are likely to have the greatest impact on people whose risk of persecution is individual, systemic, or otherwise difficult to document quickly. Legal experts identify several particularly vulnerable groups:
LGBTQ+ Individuals
Advocates from EQUAL PostOst emphasize that queer people in Russia face institutionalized persecution and that their risks cannot be measured against those faced by an “average citizen.”
Transgender People
Closed border facilities may be unable to provide specialized medical care, including access to essential hormone replacement therapy.
Journalists and Activists
They often need time to collect evidence documenting their professional activities, public statements, and the threats they face.
Other Vulnerable Groups
These include military draft evaders, members of religious minorities, and women from the North Caucasus fleeing gender-based violence.
What Do Lawyers Recommend?
If you plan to seek asylum at an EU border, legal experts strongly recommend preparing in advance, as there may be little or no opportunity to submit additional documents later.
Gather All Evidence Before Departure
Bring all available documentation, including evidence of persecution, medical records, witness statements, and copies of important documents.
Disclose Vulnerabilities Immediately
If you have experienced violence, torture, or suffer from PTSD, this should be mentioned during your very first interview. Such information may help demonstrate the need for “special procedural guarantees” and support a request to transfer your case to the standard asylum procedure.
Carry Medical Documentation
Applicants who require ongoing medication should bring prescriptions, medical certificates, and proof of diagnosis in order to improve their chances of receiving necessary treatment while staying in a closed facility.
Human rights organizations argue that LGBTQI+ people and other vulnerable groups should automatically be exempt from accelerated procedures, as the fast-track format does not allow for a sufficiently thorough assessment of their safety and protection needs.