This Inform provides information on current national legislation and practices for the collection and processing of biometric data of third-country nationals in 24 EMN Member Countries and three EMN Observer Countries (Norway, Serbia and Ukraine) in accordance with national and European law requirements. 

In a judgment delivered in Case C-184/24 (Sidi Bouzid), the Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified the limits of sanctions that may be imposed on applicants for international protection who refuse to be transferred to another accommodation centre. The Court found that such a refusal cannot justify the withdrawal of all material reception conditions. While Member States may impose sanctions for serious breaches of reception rules, these must remain proportionate and respect the applicant’s dignity.