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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.523 persons obtained Belgian nationality in June 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in June are Morocco, Syria, Romania, Italy and Turkey.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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The Belgian Minister for Equal Opportunities, Rob Beenders, has launched a campaign aimed at employers, HR professionals and relevant actors to promote gender equality in the workplace. It particularly highlights the challenges faced by women of foreign origin and draws on a recent report showing that they encounter structural difficulties, such as precarious work and under-employment. A podcast complements the campaign by giving a voice to migrant women and illustrating their resilience in the face of these obstacles.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant women, labour market, gender equality, inclusion
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The Directorate-General for Foreign Nationals in France of the Ministry of the Interior, together with EMN France and EMN Luxembourg, organise the 4th Workshop on Forecasting and New Technologies in Migration and Asylum Governance. It will gather representatives of EU agencies, international organisations, national authorities and academia. Participants will exchange on current practices, new developments and future directions in this field.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: forecasting, new technology, migration management, digitalisation, artificial intelligence
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Eurostat data show that in 2024, the EU issued 3.5 million first residence permits to non-EU citizens, marking an 8.3% decrease compared with 2023, which had recorded the highest number to date. Employment remained the main reason for granting residence permits, while student permits continued to increase slightly.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Eurostat, first residence permit
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This conference will draw on international and Irish expertise on integration to support an understanding of Ireland in a European policy context and to share evidence about what works in integration policymaking. Included will be both national and local perspectives on Irish integration.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: two-way integration, migrant, host society
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Myria is hiring a full-time Policy Officer (2-year contract) to support the Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN). The role focuses on economic migration and family reunification. You will contribute to English-language reports, studies, and EU-level policy work. The position is based in Brussels, with Myria as the employer.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: EMN Belgium, recruitment
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Asylum applications in EU+ countries fell by nearly a quarter in the first half of 2025, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). A sharp decline in requests from Syrians, following political change in the country, shifted the profile of applicants across Europe. Venezuelans became the largest group seeking protection, while Germany lost its position as the main destination country. Recognition rates reached a record low, reflecting procedural factors and changes in applicant composition.
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On 4 September, the non-profit organisation Mentor Jeunes held an online information session for families willing to foster unaccompanied foreign minors. The initiative highlighted foster care as an alternative to collective centres, offering children a safe and structured home environment. It also explained the individualised support available to both families and young people, aiming to encourage more households to consider joining the programme.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied foreign minor, foster family
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From 1 September 2025, the filing fee for appeals before Belgium’s Council for Alien Law Litigation will increase from €186 to €251, marking a rise of approximately 35%. The fee for parties wishing to intervene in ongoing cases will also increase, from €133 to €180. Legal practitioners are advised to inform clients of the new rates. Questions remain over the impact of these increases on access to justice for vulnerable individuals.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Council for Alien Law Litigation, appeal procedure, fee
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The term “instrumentalisation of migrants” describes a strategy where countries outside the EU use the movement of people to put political pressure on the Union or one of its Member States. This has happened at several borders in recent years and has had real human consequences. A new paper from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) explains what the phenomenon is, the dilemmas it creates, and why responses must strike a careful balance.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: instrumentalisation, migrant, refugee, fundamental right
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.923 persons obtained Belgian nationality in May 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in May are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Turkey and Italy.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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The European Commission has formally established the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. This expert group will bring together policymakers, practitioners and researchers to tackle abuse both online and offline. Prevention efforts aim to protect children and address potential offending behaviour. The initiative forms part of the EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse.
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On 27 October 2025 in Luxembourg, stakeholders will gather to discuss how the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum addresses statelessness as a vulnerability. The meeting will focus on early experiences with implementing the new obligations under the Screening and Asylum Procedures Regulations. Organised under the EMN Platform on Statelessness, it will provide space for exchange among national experts, EU agencies, and international organisations.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, statelessness, vulnerability
EU allocates €81 billion for migration, border management, and internal security in 2028–2034 budget
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On 16 July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling nearly €2 trillion. A significant portion of this budget—approximately €81 billion—is earmarked for migration, border management, and internal security. Within this amount, €34 billion is specifically allocated to migration management, tripling the funding compared to the previous period.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: multiannual financial framework, European Union, budget
Need help understanding asylum and migration jargon? The EMN Glossary is now easier to use than ever
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The European Migration Network (EMN) has made its popular Glossary more accessible than ever, now available through a redesigned website and mobile app. With over 540 asylum and migration terms in 27 languages, it helps make complex concepts easier to understand. Whether you're a student, journalist, frontline worker or just curious about asylum and migration in Europe, the EMN Glossary offers clear definitions, trusted translations and smart search features — all for free, and accessible to everyone.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: glossary, common terminology, website, mobile application
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.336 persons obtained Belgian nationality in April 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in April are Morocco, Romania, Syria, France and Turkey.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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The EMN Austria Conference is dedicated to exploring how to build orderly migration systems through international cooperation and innovation. Participants will examine effective partnership models, innovative solutions, and the importance of dialogue and exchange between the EU, its Member States, third countries, and other key actors such as international organisations in shaping regular migration.
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Main theme: External Dimension, Migration
Keywords: orderly migration, migration management, international cooperation, innovation
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The European Migration Network (EMN) has published its Asylum and Migration Overview 2024, with contributions from 30 Member and Observer Countries. The Belgian and EU-wide reports are both made available today, with the European report presented today 9 July 2025 at an online launch event gathering over 260 participants. For the first time, the EU report is available in an interactive format offering dynamic access to key data and trends.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Asylum and Migration Overview, interactive format, interactive map
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In 2024, 774 unaccompanied foreign minors were reported missing in Belgium—nearly fifteen every week. Around 100 of these cases were considered particularly alarming. The figures, disclosed in response to a parliamentary question by MP Matti Vandemaele (Groen), rank Belgium among the European countries most affected by the phenomenon. Child protection organisations warn that structural gaps may hinder the identification and protection of vulnerable children.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied foreign minor, disappearance, trust, investigation
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In 2024, a total of 17.939 newcomers obtained an integration certificate in Flanders, according to the Jaarrapport Inburgering 2024. This is the highest number recorded since 2018 and marks a 16% increase compared to the previous year.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: civic integration programme, integration certificate, Flanders
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From 1 July to 31 December 2025, Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Presidency’s programme emphasises key priorities such as tackling irregular migration, strengthening border control, and fostering cooperation with partner countries. It also aims to enhance legal migration pathways and address the situation of displaced persons.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Danish Presidency, Council of the European Union
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Myria has published the first thematic section of its 2025 annual report. This section, entitled "Population and movements", reveals that foreign nationals made up over 13% of the Belgian population as of 1 January 2024. Immigration from Romania, France and Ukraine was particularly high. The report also details key trends in foreign residence permits, demographic profiles and migratory flows.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: migrant population, immigration, emigration, first residence permit, temporary protection
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Nearly one in eight self-employed workers in Belgium do not hold Belgian nationality. This proportion rises to more than four in ten in the Brussels-Capital Region. An analysis of recent data from the National Institute for Social Security of the Self-Employed (INASTI) by the social insurance fund Acerta highlights these figures. The study also reveals differences in age, sector activity, and income between Belgian and non-Belgian self-employed individuals.
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Main theme: Integration, Data & Statistics, Economic migration
Keywords: self-employed, Belgian, non-Belgian
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Organised by the Czech National Contact Point of the European Migration Network, the conference will explore forthcoming changes and approaches to integration policies across the EU. It will also reflect on the development of integration policy in the Czech Republic and support the definition of a long-term national vision, including the roles of the various actors involved.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: integration policy, third country national, Social cohesion
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On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, NANSEN highlights its work with applicants for international protection who have experienced torture. The organisation provides legal information and tailored support to help them navigate the protection procedure. Victims of torture are entitled to specific procedural guarantees. NANSEN ensures that these rights are respected throughout their application process.