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: 18 January 2026
This ad hoc query provides an overview of which EMN Member and Observer Countries require criminal record certificates in order to issue long-stay visas or residence permits. Details are provided on the categories of third-country nationals exempted from this requirement, the countries from which these certificates are required (country of origin and/or of previous residence), the other types of documents that may be accepted in lieu of a certificate (such as an affidavit), and more.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family reunification, Study § Training, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: visa, residence permit, application, criminal record certificate, security
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: 01 July 2021
This paper provides an overview of EU initiatives on developing and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to improve border control and border security.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: artificial intelligence, border control, security
Publication date:
Backed by Italy and Denmark, a group of nine EU Member States has issued a letter calling for a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to facilitate the expulsion of foreign nationals convicted of crimes. While the letter's authors frame it as a call for open discussion, the move has raised concerns over judicial independence and the protection of fundamental rights in Europe.
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Publication date:
In a letter to the 27 EU Member States, Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Commission will present a new proposal for legislation to ensure solid rules for the removal of irregularly staying third-country nationals, including those posing a threat to public order or internal security. She also referred to possible "return hubs" outside the EU, drawing lessons from the start of operations of the Italy-Albania protocol.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: efficient return, return hub, mutual recognition of return decisions, security
Publication date:
The new directive regulates the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in the EU. Its main objective: the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.
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Main theme: Migration
Keywords: security, passenger name record
Publication date:
The Commission is proposing to establish a European Border and Coast Guard and also to introduce systematic checks against relevant databases for all people entering and exiting the Schengen area.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: European Border and Coast Guard, external border, Schengen area, security
Publication date:
From 9 to 13 September 2013, the conference will provide a forum for discussing and developing research, policy and practice on migration and integration.