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: 05 August 2024
This ad hoc query examines how various EU Member States have implemented Article 15 of the Return Directive (2008/115/EU), Article 8 of the Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU), and Article 28 of the Dublin Regulation (EU 604/2013), all of which pertain to the detention of third-country nationals.
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Publication date: 22 December 2022
This ad hoc query, launched by Luxembourg, examines what guidelines, procedures, and possible best practices are in place when LGBTIQ+ individuals are detained.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: detention, vulnerable persons
Publication date: 02 July 2014
This focused study examines the use of detention and alternatives to detention in the context of immigration policies in Belgium.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: alternatives to detention, detention
Publication date: 15 April 2013
The compilation of responses from 6 Member States to this French ad hoc query provides some useful information inter alia on organisations granted access to detention centres and sites accessible to such organisations.
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Publication date: 02 January 2013
The Global Report 2012 provides an overview of patterns and flows of trafficking in persons at global, regional and national levels. The report also includes a chapter on the worldwide response to trafficking in persons and country profiles for each of the 132 countries covered by this edition.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: trafficking case, definition, prosecution, detection
Publication date: 24 October 2012
UNHCR issues the Guidelines on the Applicable Criteria and Standards relating to the detention of Asylum-Seekers and Alternatives to Detention pursuant to its mandate.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: detention, alternatives to detention
Publication date: 01 June 2011
Publication of the UNHCR: Legal and Protection Policy Research Series
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Asylum, International Protection, Irregular Migration
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: alternatives to detention, detention
Publication date: 11 May 2011
The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (Centre) published a report about the respecting of fundamental rights of detainees of the INAD-Centre on Brussels Airport
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Main theme: International Protection, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: detention, INAD-centre
Publication date:
In March 2025, the European Commission proposed a regulation establishing a common return system for third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU. Médecins du Monde and PICUM have published a report highlighting potential risks associated with the proposal, particularly concerning access to healthcare and data protection. The report outlines how the proposal may affect the rights of individuals, including vulnerable groups, and raises ethical concerns for professionals. The organisations call on EU lawmakers to ensure that the regulation respects fundamental rights and medical ethics.
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Organised in the framework of the Made Real Project funded by the European Union, this conference provides a comprehensive understanding of the EU legal framework on alternatives to detention (ATD) for asylum seekers and
migrants.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: alternative to detention, detention, Made Real Project
Publication date:
On 12 and 13 June 2014, the European Migration Network Conference 2014 took place on "Irregular migration and return: challenges and practices". The Conference was organised in Athens, within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the EU Council.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: alternative to detention, detention, entry ban, readmission agreement, return
Publication date:
In its ruling n° 166/2013 taken today 19 December 2013, the Constitutional Court rejected the appeal introduced with regard to the detention of families with children.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: alternatives to detention, child detention, detention
Publication date:
On 14 November, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Belgium in the case of M.D. v Belgium for infringing the right to an effective remedy on short delay, as captured in Article 5 §4 of the European Convention on Human Rights.