Italian authorities joined forces with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), and Europol to test a new EU-wide screening process on the Italian island of Lampedusa ahead of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Lampedusa, which lies approximately 113 kilometers (70 miles) from the Tunisian coast – making it closer to the continent of Africa than to mainland Italy – is a key entry point for irregular migrant sea arrivals and now a testing ground for the EU's migration management policies.

What is the 'Screening Toolbox'?

The pilot, conducted from October 13 to 24 at the invitation of Italy’s Ministry of the Interior and Department of Public Security, marked the first real-world test of the EU’s upcoming "Screening Toolbox," a standardized set of procedures meant to streamline border checks, registration, and asylum access across member states.

The exercise involved 240 people who had arrived irregularly on the island, allowing agencies to evaluate how the system performs under operational pressures, according to a statement from Frontex.

"This pilot shows how European cooperation translates into tangible results," said Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of Frontex. "By preparing together, we make sure that the new EU screening process will enhance border management while safeguarding the fundamental rights of all those arriving at our external borders."

New measures to become mandatory by June 2026

The new screening phase, scheduled to become mandatory from June 2026, will apply to all third-country nationals arriving without authorization, the EUAA said in a statement. It will include health and vulnerability checks, information provision, biometric registration in EURODAC, and identity and security screenings through EU systems such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), Visa Information System (VIS), Entry-Exit System (EES), and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Joint screening teams from Frontex, EUAA, Europol, and the Italian authorities worked in rotating shifts to assess each stage of the process, from the collection of biometric data to the communication of asylum rights.

"It is crucial for the EU Agency for Asylum to test the tools developed under the new Pact before their implementation," said Nina Gregori, Executive Director from the EUAA. "The screening regulation is a key element of this new approach to effective migration management, and we appreciate the excellent cooperation with Italy, Frontex and Europol.”

Efforts to optimize EU migration management mechanisms

The trial also tested how well different agencies can work together, part of the EU’s plan to manage migration in a more organized and consistent way.

The agencies evaluated workflow efficiency, data sharing, and the usability of standardized forms and templates which they claim are designed to ensure uniform treatment across all EU external borders.

"By hosting this pilot, Italy once again demonstrated its strong commitment to European cooperation and contributed its expertise to managing the EU’s external borders," said Vittorio Pisani, Chief of the Italian National Police and General-Director for Public Security.

The findings from Lampedusa will be used to refine the screening toolbox before it is rolled out to all EU and Schengen-Associated countries in 2026.

How Frontex says it is supporting the implementation of the pact:

The new EU Migration Pact builds on previous reforms in the hopes of creating a more balanced, flexible, and fair framework for migration, asylum, border management, and integration. Its first pillar focuses on securing external borders through pre-entry screening, reinforced databases, mandatory procedures for certain asylum applicants, and quick crisis support for EU member states, according to Frontex.

The second and third pillars aim to streamline procedures, harmonize protection standards, and promote solidarity by allowing countries to choose how they contribute, with EU agencies providing operational support and preventing secondary movements. The fourth pillar emphasizes international partnerships to prevent irregular migration, combat smuggling, support returns, and create legal pathways for work, study, and training through the EU Talent Pool and Talent Partnerships.