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 September 2023
In the Netherlands, there is a special policy applicable to third-country national children based on a family supervision order (child protection order) that is imposed by the juvenile court. The Dutch authorities launched this query because they want to know whether it is possible for a minor third-country national who is covered by a similar order to receive a residence permit in other Member States.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: accompanied children, family supervision order, protection order, vulnerable persons
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: 06 February 2017
In 2015 the Study and Policy Unit from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, started with a study into vulnerable persons with specific reception needs. The first phase of this study has been completed.
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The medical office run by Médecins du Monde within the Humanitarian Hub in Brussels will cease its activities on 31 March 2026. The closure follows the recent shutdown of the Athena Medical Centre. According to the organisation, this will further reduce access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups in the capital. Médecins du Monde has warned of likely consequences for emergency services and for people with limited access to care.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Humanitarian Hub, Brussels, access to healthcare, vulnerable persons
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As of 1 August 2024, the European Commission will support nine Member States, including Belgium, in preparing their National Implementation Plans for the Pact on Migration and Asylum. These countries will receive targeted support to carry out situational analysis and identify the necessary actions to implement the Pact in line with the Common Implementation Plan.
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The conference of the Belgian National Contact Point to the EMN– which took place on 4 December in Brussels – focused on challenges and opportunities associated with the return of irregular and vulnerable migrants.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission, Vulnerable groups
Keywords: EMN conference, forced return, reintegration programmes, voluntary return, vulnerable persons
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Join us to discuss how to provide irregular migrants with information on voluntary return and how to address vulnerabilities in the return and reintegration process.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: irregular migrant, vulnerable persons
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The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) gave the green light to an agreement to recast the Reception Conditions Directive.