The European Union Framework on Immigrant Integration

Abstract

This Chapter aims to disentangle the European Union (EU) framework on immigrant integration by analysing the EU integration governance, assessing the current state of play and providing guidance for some future steps towards a more inclusive society. First, I provide a definition of integration given by the EU, while highlighting the importance of actions at the local level, in line with the principle of subsidiarity. Then, I lay down a timeline of the key events, plans, and agreements regarding integration policy in the EU. In doing so, I argue that a truly common integration policy in the European Union does not exist (yet), because immigrants’ integration is among the national competencies of Member States, although EU recommendations and good practices can harmonize integration practices across Europe. In the third section, I discuss the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021–2027, by highlighting some of its key features and limitations. In the fourth section, I assess the current state of play by presenting recent data on the level of integration in Europe and introducing the Migrant Integration Policy Index 2020. I conclude by reflecting on how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected immigrants’ integration and inclusion, discussing how Next Generation EU could impact the integration of immigrants, and providing guidance for policymakers.