This ad hoc query, launched by EMN Belgium, explores whether authorities in EMN Member Countries are permitted to search the electronic devices of irregularly staying third-country nationals in the context of return. It examines the legal conditions under which such searches may take place, the categories of individuals concerned, the availability of related statistics, and the perceived impact on identification processes. The query also invites information on challenges encountered and any planned legislative developments in this area.

The Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network has published a report on challenges and practices for establishing identity in the migration process. The report served as the Belgian contribution to an EU Synthesis report on the topic, which compares national policies, legislation and practices on the subject in 25 EU Member States and Norway. 

This Synthesis Report summarises the main findings of the EMN Focussed Study on Establishing Identity for International Protection: Challenges and Practices undertaken by EMN National Contact Points from 25 (Member) States.

In this national contribution to the EMN focussed study, the Belgian Contact Point describes the issue of establishing identity of applicants for international protection and for the return of rejected asylum applicants