Publication date: 27 January 2026
This EMN Inform provides an overview of the border procedures currently applied by EMN Member Countries under the Asylum Procedures Directive. It mainly examines the types of procedures, authorities involved, processing times, types of decisions taken, and safeguards for applicants with special needs. The Inform highlights differences in national practices and presents them as they exist prior to the implementation of the mandatory Asylum Border Procedure under the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: asylum procedure, application for international protection, border, transit zone, security, detention, vulnerable persons
Publication date: 15 May 2025
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how Member and Observer Countries currently implement asylum border procedures. It covers the main steps of the asylum border procedure, including procedural stages, responsible authorities, legal bases for decisions, measures for vulnerable applicants and security risks, as well as good practices and key challenges.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: asylum procedure, application for international protection, border, transit zone, security, detention, vulnerable persons
Publication date: 13 May 2025
This EMN Inform maps how EMN Member Countries organise their first instance appeals procedures and examine operational changes implemented between 2018 and 2024. It delivers a comprehensive comparative analysis, reflecting on procedural safeguards, key challenges, and good practices observed across the EU.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: right to an effective remedy, asylum procedure, procedure for international protection, first instance, appeal procedure, time limit, suspensive effect, procedural guarantee
Publication date: 27 February 2025
This ad hoc query examines the obligation imposed on Member States to make an audio recording of the personal interview of applicants for international protection, as outlined in the Pact on Migration and Asylum. It explores the means currently used by some EMN Member Countries to record, store, and transmit recordings of personal interviews, as well as how others intend to implement this obligation in the future.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: asylum procedure, procedure for international protection, personal interview, recording
Publication date: 06 October 2023
This ad hoc query addresses the human resource management strategies in Asylum and Dublin Units in EMN Member Countries. It provides information on the division of the workload between the different institutions involved in the asylum procedure within the EMN Member Countries, on the number of decisions issued as well as on the methodologies in place to ensure a sufficient number of employees to guarantee decision-making.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: asylum procedure, workload, asylum applications
Publication date: 08 September 2023
The Czech Ministry of Interior is currently looking into the possibility of using real-time speech-translating devices during the asylum procedure, especially during the interviews. It launched an ad hoc query to find out if other Member States are using this type of system in the asylum procedure.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: speech-translating device, interpretation, asylum procedure
Publication date: 21 April 2023
The updated AIDA Country Report on Belgium provides a detailed overview on legislative and practice-related developments in asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection in 2022. Further, the report includes an annex providing an overview of temporary protection.
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Main theme: Asylum
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum procedure, reception condition, detention
Publication date: 10 January 2022
This comparative report provides an overview of the use of digital tools and remote working methods in asylum processes in 23 European countries. It questions the risks and benefits of such use and highlights several fundamental guarantees and procedural safeguards which must continue to apply to ensure that they do not infringe the existing CEAS framework.
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Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: digitalisation, asylum procedure
Publication date: 22 February 2017
The updated country report on Belgium contains information on recent developments in case law and policy related to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and integration of beneficiaries of international protection.
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Main theme: Asylum
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum decisions, asylum law, asylum policy, asylum procedure
Publication date: 03 July 2013
This report provides statistics, information on the legal framework, the asylum procedure and reception conditions for asylum seekers in Belgium.
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Main theme: Reception, International Protection
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum decisions, asylum law, asylum policy, asylum procedure
Publication date: 04 February 2013
After difficult negotiations between the Council and the EP the recast of this directive have been adopted. Background information, state of play and case law regarding this directive can be found here.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: asylum procedure, asylum procedure directive, CEAS, EU directive
Publication date: 01 June 2011
This is the annual report 2010 of the Office of the Commissioner Gerneral for Refugees & Stateless Persons (CGRS)
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, International Protection
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions, asylum procedure, asylum statistics
Publication date: 11 April 2011
Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: asylum procedure, council directive, minimum standards
Publication date:
In August 2025, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) introduced a Self-Assessment Tool to help national authorities evaluate the quality of their asylum procedures. Based on EUAA operational standards and indicators, the tool provides a structured method for self-assessment. It aims to help administrations identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with EU standards. A descriptive version of the tool is currently available to guide implementation.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: asylum procedure, international protection procedure, quality, self-assessment
Publication date:
On 27 May 2025, the Belgian Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN) participated in a capacity-building session on guardianship and the quality of care for asylum-seeking children in the context of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The seminar was organised by the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), in collaboration with OKaJu (Ombudsman for Children in Luxembourg – Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher) and the Luxembourgish Contact Point to the EMN. The aim of the session was to discuss the impact of the new Pact on children in asylum procedures.
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Publication date:
On 20 May 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal to revise the rules governing the application of the safe third country concept. The proposal, which inter alia removes the requirement to establish a connection between the applicant and the safe third country, is now subject to approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It has prompted a range of reactions, including expressions of support as well as more critical assessments.
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Publication date:
What does the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum actually mean for Belgian migration and asylum procedures? This study day will allow lawyers, magistrates and all legal practitioners to consider this question, benefiting from the contributions and insights of experts from national migration and asylum authorities, various non-governmental organisations, and several universities.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, asylum procedure, right of residence
Publication date:
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons has published a new guide that provides information to unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in Belgium, as well as their guardians.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: CGRS, asylum procedure
Publication date:
In written questions and answers to the House of Representatives, dated from 2 April 2013, Maggie de Block provided information inter alia on the length of and project aimed at improving the asylum procedure in Belgium.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: asylum procedure, quality management
Publication date:
Since 9 November the annual report 2010 of the CGRS can be consulted in English (abridged version)
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Main theme: International Protection, Data & Statistics
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions, asylum procedure, asylum statistics
Publication date:
On 1 June 2011, the European Commission presents its revised proposals amending the Directives on Asylum Procedures and on Reception Conditions.