The European Union is planning a new rule that would make it harder for African countries to receive development aid unless they help stop migrants from coming to Europe. This plan will be part of the EU’s next seven-year budget, starting in 2028.
An early version of the document, seen by POLITICO, shows that the European Commission wants to use aid money as a tool to pressure countries to reduce migration. This means countries that don’t do enough to stop people from traveling to Europe may lose funding.
This marks a big change in the EU’s current policy. In the past, most development aid was given without strict conditions. But now, the EU is following the example of countries like the U.S. and the UK, which already tie foreign aid to their own national interests, including stopping irregular migration.
The new proposal is supported by many EU member states, especially from Italy and Denmark. They want to repeat the 2023 deal made with Tunisia, where the EU promised funds in exchange for help in stopping migrant boats.
According to the leaked draft, the Commission wrote that the EU will “use all appropriate tools and necessary leverage” to make sure aid money encourages countries to reduce migration. This may include changing how much funding certain countries get if they don’t cooperate.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is under pressure from her own political group, the European People’s Party, to take a tougher stance on migration. However, for the plan to move forward, she still needs support from the European Parliament—especially from center-left parties like the Socialists and the Greens, who may oppose the idea.
The EU also plans to combine different aid programs into one large fund called the “Global Europe Fund,” which will divide money by regions: Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and global programs.
Importantly, the EU says that this plan will not take away money meant for helping Ukraine rebuild after the war. A separate fund will be created to support Ukraine from 2028 to 2034.
This new strategy shows the EU’s growing effort to link foreign aid with migration control. It raises questions about whether development help should be used as a reward for stopping migration—or whether such actions might harm people in need.
The full proposal is expected to be released by von der Leyen next Wednesday. Once made public, it will likely start strong debates between EU institutions, member countries, and humanitarian groups.