Italy is to receive the most aid, about €560m, while Spain will get €521m. Greece will receive €474m.

Some of the funding will also go to France and the UK, helping them to tackle the deepening migrant crisis in Calais.

The commission said the money, which comes from its Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund, will support national efforts to ensure asylum procedures are in line with European Union standards and help improve member states’ border management and surveillance.

Dimitris Avramopoulos, migration, home affairs and citizenship commissioner, said member states faced extraordinary challenges in regards to migration and security.

“The national programmes approved by the commission provide significant financial assistance to the member states to address these challenges. We are determined to continue to put solidarity into practice.”