CHANGE AND CONTINUITY ON THE BALKAN ROUTE SINCE 2015: THE TRANSFORMATION OF MIGRATION GOVERNANCE
Keywords:
Balkan Route, migration governance, change and continuity, policy transformation, EU externalizationAbstract
Since the 2015–2016 migration crisis, the Balkan Route has been reshaped through overlapping policy responses, institutional arrangements, and evolving governance practices. However, these changes have not resulted in a stable or coherent system. On the contrary, the region reflects a more complex reality where new approaches to migration management coexist with previous patterns that are difficult to replace. In the post-crisis period, the European Union’s migration policies have increasingly shifted toward externalization; control mechanisms have been extended beyond EU borders, and the role of Western Balkan countries has been redefined. As a result, transit countries have adopted more restrictive migration measures, strengthened border management practices, and aligned certain legal and administrative frameworks with EU expectations. These developments signal a distinct transformation in how migration is managed, particularly regarding control, surveillance, and institutional coordination.
Nevertheless, elements of continuity remain visible in day-to-day governance practices. Across the region, migration management often relies on temporary arrangements, informal coordination, and reactive decision-making processes rather than long-term institutional planning. Practices such as pushbacks, selective access to protection, and the inconsistent application of asylum procedures highlight the gap between official policy frameworks and on-the-ground implementation. This gap is not accidental; it reflects deeper structural limitations within the migration governance system.
This study adopts a qualitative and concept-driven approach, drawing on policy documents, regional agreements, and institutional practices in the key countries along the Balkan Route: Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rather than treating change as a linear process, the study assesses the Balkan Route as a layered governance space shaped by both transformation and persistence. The analysis reveals that recent policy changes have primarily affected the formal structure of migration governance, while existing practices continue to determine how these policies are implemented on the ground. This simultaneity creates a fragmented policy environment and raises significant questions regarding consistency, accountability, and the protection of migrant rights. More broadly, the study contributes to discussions on how knowledge regarding migration governance is produced and translated into policy, particularly in regions where institutional capacities and political priorities do not develop at the same level.
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