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Introduction

As the go-to source of information on international protection in Europe, the annual Asylum Report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) provides a comprehensive overview of key developments in asylum in Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (EU+ countries). 

Starting with a brief overview of trends and key topics of discussion surrounding forced displacement at a global level, the report narrows in on the context of Europe. Key developments are presented at the EU and national levels, covering all aspects of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Selected case law is presented to illustrate how courts shaped the interpretation of European and national laws. In addition, statistical data on key indicators highlight trends in the area of asylum in 2021. 

Pressure at the EU’s external borders intensified in 2021 with the number of arrivals returning to pre-pandemic levels, even amidst continued COVID-19 measures. The political landscape prompted a spike in arrivals from Afghanistan, Belarus and, in early 2022, Ukraine. In response, EU+ countries quickly adapted to the waves of arrivals by facilitating the lodging process for an asylum application, rearranging reception places and resorting to arrival centres for various steps of the asylum procedure.