On 19 February 2026, the Mediterranean Migration & Asylum Policy Hub (MedMA) hosted a webinar to present our new policy paper, "Secondary Movement of Beneficiaries of International Protection: From Greece to the Netherlands." The discussion brought together the report's author, Dr. Tihomir Sabchev (Tilburg University / Max Planck Institute), MedMA representatives, and distinguished discussants Professor Kristin Fabbe (EUI) and Dr. Markus Engler (DeZIM), offering a rich, multi layered conversation on one of the most contentious issues in EU asylum policy.
Overall, the webinar underscored a key message: secondary movements from Greece to the Netherlands are not primarily about "abuse" or pre‑planned strategies by refugees, but about how current policies structure opportunities and constraints.
The discussion repeatedly returned to questions of solidarity under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: what meaningful solidarity would look like for frontline states such as Greece, how destination countries perceive fairness, and how secondary movements could be addressed without a race to the bottom on reception standards.
Panellists pointed to the Temporary Protection Directive, long‑term residence reform, and more flexible mobility pathways as potential building blocks of a more realistic, humane system. For MedMA, this exchange confirmed the value of combining in‑depth field research with open, policy‑focused dialogue—something we will continue to foster in our upcoming events and publications.
You can watch the full discussion below and find out more about MedMA's work on their website: https://med-ma.eu/
