Between Norms and Borders: Asylum Policy in the Iberian Peninsula (2008-2024)

Abstract

This article offers a comparative analysis of asylum policies in Portugal and Spain between 2008 and 2024, examining the dynamics of europeanization and externalization. It argues that although the European Union seeks normative harmonization, national diversity persists, as geographical and institutional factors play a critical role in domestic adaptations. In Portugal, europeanization has largely been a formal process, characterized by rapid legal transposition, but is hindered by administrative shortcomings and subtle externalization practices. In contrast, Spain faces considerable migratory pressures, leading to a combination of legal alignment and robust externalization strategies, including summary returns and structured cooperation with third countries. The findings reveal that while both nations comply with EU obligations, their divergent approaches underscore the structural weaknesses of the Common European Asylum System, where limited solidarity, securitization, and practical fragmentation compromise the cohesion of a truly unified European asylum policy.