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The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on two key proposals to strengthen the use of safe country concepts in EU asylum rules. One addresses the safe third country concept, and the other establishes the first EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin. They aim to accelerate asylum procedures and improve the management of applications from those unlikely to require protection. Negotiations with the European Parliament, which has also endorsed the list, will follow to agree on the final texts.

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During a session of the Chamber of Representatives’ Interior Committee on 2 December 2025, Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt outlined the government’s decision regarding the list of safe countries of origin. She specified which countries are included in the 2025 list and explained that Morocco was added due to improvements in its human rights situation and the low recognition rate for asylum applications from Moroccan nationals. 

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De EMN Hongarije Conferentie zal onderzoeken hoe EU-kaders voor tijdelijke bescherming zich ontwikkelen en hoe deze veranderingen in de praktijk worden toegepast in Centraal-Europa. De conferentie heeft als doel om beleidsontwikkelingen op hoog niveau te verbinden met de realiteit ter plaatse voor ontheemden en opvanggemeenschappen. Daarnaast wordt gekeken naar mogelijke transities vanaf het huidige EU-regime voor tijdelijke bescherming, met aandacht voor regionale praktijken, uitdagingen en succesvolle benaderingen. 

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On 26 November 2025, several civil society organisations, including Caritas International and Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, published a statement warning about rising refusals of temporary protection applications. Between January and October, 2.380 applications were rejected, compared with 1.578 in 2022. The organisations highlighted difficulties in accessing accommodation and support for displaced persons affected. Authorities attribute the increase to changes in European rules and stricter administrative requirements.

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Op 20 november 2025 woonde EMN België de lancering bij van het jaarverslag “Rechten op de drempel” van de Vlaamse Kinderrechtencommissaris, naar aanleiding van de Internationale Dag van de Rechten van het Kind. Het verslag belicht aanhoudende uitdagingen die buitenlandse kinderen en jongeren in opvangcentra treffen, waaronder verschillen in leefomstandigheden, veiligheid, hygiëne en toegang tot basisvoorzieningen.   

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On 13 November 2025, several civil society organisations held a silent protest outside the Palais de Justice in Brussels to draw attention to the shortage of reception places for third-country nationals. Participants, including advocates, volunteers, and citizens, brought sleeping bags to symbolise people forced to sleep outdoors. The demonstration called for urgent measures to ensure that all individuals entitled to accommodation can access it.

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Het EMN-Stuurcomité heeft gestemd over de onderwerpen die in 2026 zullen worden geanalyseerd in studies en Informs. In totaal zullen volgend jaar twee studies en acht Informs worden ontwikkeld. Een Belgisch voorstel, getiteld “Het versterken van identiteitsbeheer en fraudepreventie in migratieprocessen”, werd als eerste gerangschikt na de stemming. 

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The European Commission has launched the first Annual Migration Management Cycle under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The cycle provides an annual overview of migration and asylum in the EU and identifies pressures on Member States. It includes the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report, a Commission decision on Member States’ migratory situations, and a proposal for the Annual Solidarity Pool. 

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At the occasion of the publication of the 49th edition of the International Migration Outlook, the OECD organised a launch event including a press conference and a high-level panel discussion. Discussions revolved around the key findings of the report and the future outlook of migration in the EU.

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The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) is resuming the processing of applications for international protection from Syrian nationals from 1 November 2025. The suspension, in place since 9 December 2024, was implemented to gather sufficient information on the security situation in Syria.

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De EMN Spanje Conferentie markeert de 40e verjaardag van de toetreding van Spanje tot de EU en blikt terug op vier decennia van transformatie in migratiebeleid en integratie. Het evenement onderzoekt de Spaanse ontwikkeling van een emigratieland naar een belangrijke bestemming voor migranten, samen met het evoluerende EU-migratiekader. De conferentie benadrukt de rol van het Schengenakkoord en het nieuwe Europese Pact over Migratie en Asiel. Beleidsmakers en experts zullen de uitdagingen en kansen bespreken die de toekomst van migratie in Europa vormgeven. 

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De EMN Italië Conferentie 2025 richt zich op de implementatie van het Europees Pact inzake Migratie en Asiel. Georganiseerd door de Centrale Directie voor Migratiebeleid binnen het Italiaanse Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, benadrukt het evenement de rol van gecoördineerde multi-level governance met betrokkenheid van Europese, nationale, regionale en lokale actoren. De conferentie heeft tot doel beleidsontwikkelingen, governance-structuren en praktische ervaringen met betrekking tot migratie- en asielbeheer in Italië en in de EU te verkennen.

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On 30 September 2025, seven organisations, including humanitarian groups, published the fifth edition of their Belgian report on the country’s non-reception policy and its effects on asylum seekers. The report provides data on reduced access to accommodation and essential services during the first half of 2025, following policy changes introduced by the coalition government formed in January. It documents impacts on housing, healthcare, mental health, and legal support for people seeking international protection.
Hoofdthema: Reception
Trefwoorden: reception crisis, reception capacity

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Op 30 september 2025 kreeg EMN België, op uitnodiging van Enabel, de gelegenheid om de specifieke kenmerken van zijn netwerkgerichte aanpak toe te lichten aan vertegenwoordigers uit Ivoorkust en Mauritanië, die België bezochten in het kader van een uitwisselingsbezoek rond inclusie en (re)integratie. 
Hoofdthema: Cross-sectionaal, Asiel, Migratie
Trefwoorden: EMN België, netwerk

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The Fedasil Info Point in Brussels has been supporting asylum seekers and other migrants for two years, providing accessible and centralised information in one location. Since reopening on 27 September 2023 at the former Bordet Hospital site, it has welcomed over 22.000 visitors, mostly single men with ongoing asylum procedures. Visitors most frequently ask about accommodation, medical care, legal support, and other practical matters. Partners such as Caritas International and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) assist in providing guidance and support.

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The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe examined the execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Camara v. Belgium. The case highlighted a systemic failure to enforce judicial decisions ordering the State to provide accommodation and material support to asylum-seekers. While some progress has been made in freeing up reception places and improving operational support, concerns persist over reductions in capacity and the risk to the rule of law. The Committee urged the Belgian authorities to adopt sustainable measures and provide detailed information on enforcement.

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The Council of the European Union has adopted a recommendation outlining a common framework for the gradual transition of displaced Ukrainians out of temporary protection. The measures aim to support sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine when conditions allow, while also facilitating access to other residence statuses for those eligible. The recommendation provides guidance on voluntary return, reintegration support and information systems for displaced persons.  

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Het Directoraat-Generaal Vreemdelingenzaken van het Franse ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken organiseert samen met EMN Frankrijk en EMN Luxemburg de vierde workshop over 'forecasting' of prognoses en nieuwe technologieën op het gebied van migratie- en asielbeleid. Deze workshop brengt vertegenwoordigers van EU-agentschappen, internationale organisaties, nationale autoriteiten en de academische wereld samen. De deelnemers zullen van gedachten wisselen over de huidige praktijken, nieuwe ontwikkelingen en toekomstige richtingen op dit gebied.

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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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Myria werft een beleidsmedewerker aan (voltijds – contract van 2 jaar) ter ondersteuning van het Belgisch Contactpunt van het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN). De functie focust voornamelijk op arbeidsmigratie en gezinshereniging. U draagt in het Engels bij aan het opstellen van rapporten, studies en beleidsdocumenten in een Europese context. De standplaats van de functie is Brussel.
Hoofdthema: Cross-sectionaal, Asiel, Migratie
Trefwoorden: EMN België, vacature

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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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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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In August 2025, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) introduced a Self-Assessment Tool to help national authorities evaluate the quality of their asylum procedures. Based on EUAA operational standards and indicators, the tool provides a structured method for self-assessment. It aims to help administrations identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with EU standards. A descriptive version of the tool is currently available to guide implementation.

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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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A European pilot project is underway to improve access to sustainable housing for beneficiaries of international protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection. Running from November 2024 to October 2027, PATHS brings together IOM, Orbit and Fedasil in Belgium, with partners in France and Greece. The initiative focuses on preventing homelessness through housing platforms, stronger intermediary organisations and greater engagement with property owners.