Residency and citizenship crackdowns, repatriation grants, caps on foreign population, elections and all amid an expected and continued rise in the polls for the right… how will immigration trends change around Europe in 2026?
If there’s been a defining issue of European politics in 2025 it has arguably been immigration. Even when the debate isn’t about immigration itself – on the economy, say, or pensions or foreign policy – migration seems to underpin it. Escalating rhetoric has shifted the debate rightward and affects all migrants wherever they live and wherever they come from.
Anti-immigration parties are surging in the polls. In France,Germany and the UK,polls suggest the far-right could govern in the near-future.In Spain and Sweden they may form key components of future coalitions.
But in 2025 tough talk on borders and the conflation of illegal and legal migration is no longer reserved for the far-right. Incumbent centrist governments in Denmark and the UK have made this clear by paring back citizenship and residency rights, while opposition parties are increasingly performative on immigration saying what they think electorates (or the media) want to hear.
But how will immigration trends around Europe change in 2026?
According to the experts, it could be much of the same.
Dr. Marta Lorimer,Lecturer in Politics at Cardiff University says “I expect we’ll see a continued crackdown on rules and attempts at limiting migration [and] limiting the rights of migrants.
“EU countries and the EU itself look set to continue following restrictive migration policies,at least nominally,even when this clashes with their economic interests,” she told The local.
Next year will also see a raft of elections, both national and regional, that could shape debate and have a knock-on effect on migration policy and debate across the continent.
Lorimer feels Hungary and Denmark in particular could be bellwethers for bloc-wide immigration politics in 2026.
“The Hungarian election will be one to watch. We can expect Orbán to ramp up his anti-migrant and anti-EU discourse even further in a bid to keep power. Denmark also has an election, and that one will be captivating to follow; the Danish left-wing goverment has adopted some of the bloc’s most extreme anti-migratio
Europe Tightens Immigration Policies Amid Demographic Shifts
Across Europe, governments grapple with balancing economic needs and public concerns regarding immigration.Several nations are implementing stricter policies in 2026, driven by demographic realities and political pressures.
Sweden is introducing significant changes to its immigration landscape. Re-emigration grants become available on January 1st. Concurrently, stricter citizenship rules take effect on June 1st. If parliament approves a proposed bill, most foreigners will need to reside in Sweden for eight years, rather of five, to qualify for citizenship.
Switzerland faces a potential shift with an explicitly anti-immigration measure slated for a vote in 2026. The Swiss people’s Party (SVP) proposed capping the population at 10 million. Currently, Switzerland’s population exceeds 9 million, with nearly 2.5 million residents being foreign nationals.
Italy presents a complex case, highlighting the tension between political rhetoric and economic necessity.while mainstream politics frequently enough advocate for reduced migration, the economy frequently demands migrant workers.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in office since 2022, exemplifies this dynamic. Despite campaigning on hardline anti-immigration stances, her government plans to issue 500,000 visas for non-EU workers from 2026. Experts suggest economic realities may compel Meloni to maintain this balancing act, as Italy experiences declining fertility rates and a significant outflow of working-age citizens.