April 2026 – MPG in the Media
8 April | The Parliament Magazine | What are the long-term risks of the EU’s return hubs?
EU plans for migrant “return hubs” risk leaving people stranded in unstable regions, exposing them to abuse and empowering third countries to leverage migration politically. Experts warn externalisation may undermine rights, fuel instability, and distract from integration. MPG’s Başak Yavçan is cited as highlighting these long-term risks.
8 April | Europe Says |The EU’s migrant return hubs raise fears of long-term risks
EU plans for migrant return hubs risk enabling political leverage by partner countries, fuelling instability and exposing migrants to abuse. Experts warn externalisation may weaken rights and overlook integration. Başak Yavçan from MPG is cited in The Parliament Magazine article cautioning against reliance on third countries.
After months homeless despite court orders, asylum-seekers won a European Court of Human Rights ruling that Belgium violated their rights by denying shelter. MPG’s Başak Yavçan said it reveals a gap between EU asylum promises and reality, warning restrictive policies risk worsening protection failures.
The EU is reportedly considering 12 countries for offshore “return hubs” as part of its new migration policy, though talks remain early and controversial. Critics warn of legal, ethical and security risks, especially in unstable regions. MPG’s Başak Yavçan cautioned that relying on third countries is risky, noting they will cooperate only “as long as the benefits… exceed the cost.”
Article examines rising anti-immigrant hostility in Romania, including physical violence against foreign workers, poor labour conditions, weak institutional support, and data gaps. Researcher Anatolie Coșciug links intolerance to labour competition and political discourse. Migration Integration Policy Index shows Romania scores low, reflecting limited integration and “equality on paper”. Incidents reveal worsening social tensions nationwide.
Foreign workers are reshaping Slovakia’s labour market, now nearly 6 percent of the workforce and vital for growth. However, integration policies remain weak, limiting long-term benefits. According to the Migrant Integration Policy Index, Slovakia ranks among the EU’s lowest, highlighting gaps in education, labour access and participation for migrants today.
Foreign workers are increasingly vital to Slovakia’s labour market, reaching record levels and supporting economic growth. However, integration remains weak, risking long-term benefits. According to the Migrant Integration Policy Index, Slovakia ranks among the EU’s lowest, with major gaps in labour access, education and migrant participation.
Foreign workers are increasingly vital to Slovakia’s labour market, now nearly 6% of the workforce and boosting growth amid shortages and ageing. Most come from non-EU countries. However, integration remains weak, as highlighted by MIPEX, with persistent gaps in access to employment, education, services, and participation despite recent reforms.
27 April | InBusinessNews | Δεξιότητες μεταναστών και… μια χαμένη ευκαιρία ανάπτυξης ( Immigrant skills and… a missed development opportunity)
The article highlights migrant skills as an underused driver of growth and integration. Experts call for improved data collection, stronger coordination between migration, education, and employment policies, and better recognition of qualifications. MPG contributed via MIPEX data, showing Cyprus’ stagnant integration score and barriers to employment, underlining gaps in labour access, citizenship, and participation despite some policy progress.
Foreign workers are increasingly vital to Slovakia’s labour market, helping offset shortages and supporting key industries. However, integration policies lag behind. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the EU’s weakest performers, especially in labour market access, education, and political participation. Bureaucracy, long recruitment processes, and language barriers further complicate hiring. Experts stress better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant employment shifts from a short-term fix to a long-term necessity for economic stability.
Foreign workers are playing a growing role in Slovakia’s labour market, easing shortages and sustaining key sectors, yet integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the EU’s lowest, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Despite rising numbers, employers face bureaucracy, delays, and language barriers in recruitment. Experts highlight the need for better planning and integration measures, as migrant workers become essential to long-term economic stability rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Foreign workers are increasingly important in Slovakia, filling labour shortages and supporting economic stability. However, integration policies remain weak. According to MIPEX, Slovakia ranks among the lowest in the EU, particularly in labour market access, education, and political participation. Employers face barriers such as bureaucracy, long recruitment timelines, and language challenges. Experts stress the need for better planning and stronger integration support, as migrant workers become a long-term structural part of the workforce rather than a temporary solution.
Portugal combines strong integration policies with more complex social realities for expats. Ranked among the top EU countries in MIPEX, it offers favourable legal frameworks, including equal rights and access to education. However, deeper integration depends on language skills, social engagement, and cultural adaptation. While English is widely spoken, Portuguese proficiency is key to inclusion. Social networks can be closed, and workplace norms emphasise hierarchy and relationships, meaning integration is gradual and shaped by individual effort.
28 April | The New Republic | The Polish-Ukrainian Honeymoon Is Over
The article traces Poland’s shift from overwhelming solidarity with Ukrainian refugees in 2022 to rising hostility by 2025–2026, driven by social fatigue, political rhetoric, economic pressures, historical tensions, and disinformation. Refugees face discrimination, insecurity, and declining rights despite contributing economically. The MIPEX is cited to show Poland’s weak integration framework, scoring 41/100 in 2019, highlighting the lack of preparedness for large-scale migration and helping explain why initial goodwill deteriorated without strong, long-term integration policies.
29 April | The Traveler | Spain Integration Difficulty Score
Spain’s integration difficulty is assessed as moderate, shaped by language demands, labour market segmentation, and uneven social inclusion. While access to services and pathways to citizenship are relatively open, outcomes vary by skills, origin, and region. Language proficiency is crucial, and discrimination remains a barrier for some groups. The Migrant Integration Policy Index is cited as placing Spain in the EU’s mid-to-upper range, noting inclusive legal frameworks but gaps in implementation and persistent inequalities affecting everyday integration experiences.
29 April | The Traveler | Italy Integration Difficulty Score Explained for Expats
Italy’s integration difficulty is described as medium to high, shaped by language barriers, complex bureaucracy, and uneven social inclusion. While legal frameworks support migrant rights and long-term residence, everyday access to services and participation is often slow and fragmented. Integration depends heavily on Italian language skills and navigating local administrative systems. The Migrant Integration Policy Index is cited with a score of about 58/100, placing Italy slightly above the EU average, but highlighting that strong policies on paper often contrast with more difficult real-life implementation.
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.