|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The IND launched a special project and hired additional staff to reduce the backlog in applications from unaccompanied minors and shorten the overall length of the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Aliens Circular was amended to clarify that an age assessment takes place in two separate sessions, one with the AVIM and one with the IND. Employees of the same public authority assess the age independently, but they can attend the same assessment session. |
NL LEG 05 2019 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
A Governmental Inter-Agency Committee for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children was established. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Since 1 March 2019, the asylum procedure has been organised into six asylum regions. Each of these regions has a federal asylum centre which conducts the asylum procedure. Supporting divisions remain at the headquarters. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to information |
The Asylum Act was complemented with Article 12a, which regulates the modalities of BAMF counselling on asylum procedures for applicants. |
DE LEG 03 2019 |
|
Greece |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
Greece adopted a list of 12 safe countries of origin: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Morocco, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, The Gambia and Ukraine. |
EL LEG 04 2019 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
The Migration Department took over some tasks from the police and, for example, applicants can now lodge an application directly with the institution rather than the police. The initial interview with the applicant is obligatorily recorded (video or audio) and attached to the personal file. The department can now also issue a Certificate of Acceptance of an Application for Asylum, confirming an applicant’s status and serving as a Foreigners’ Registration Certificate, pending the issuance of the latter. |
LT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Bulgaria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
An amendment to the Law on Foreigners stated that stateless persons who do not meet the requirements for permanent or long-term residence may obtain permission for a one-year prolonged stay. |
BG LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
An amendment to the Aliens Act defined the criteria for subsequent applications. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
France |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The budget of CNDA continued to be increased to reduce the length of procedures at second instance. |
FR LEG 13 2019 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Training on working with unaccompanied minors was offered to reception centre staff. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Since 1 January 2019, Sweden does not recognise the validity of child marriages from abroad, so the agency updated its standards for handling cases related to married child applicants and developed relevant information material in collaboration with the National Board of Health and Welfare. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Norway |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The authorities in Norway launched the website, Asylbarn, dedicated specifically for children in the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
Fedasil launched a multi-lingual information platform for applicants for international protection, www.fedasilinfo.be, accessible only from Belgium and available in 12 languages. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
A guide was published for case workers on domestic violence in the context of asylum. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
Three new centres for DRAPs (dispositifs de préparation de l’aide au retour) were opened. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
Fedasil made improvements to the arrival path in the temporary arrival centre in Brussels, rendering registration and lodging procedures quicker and more efficient. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Interviewing practices were adjusted so the presence of only one lawyer or representative of an accredited association is authorised, and trainee lawyers and interns are prohibited from accompanying their supervisor. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The “Description of the Procedure for Accommodation of Asylum Applicants” clarified that costs exceeding the rates defined in the document might be covered by funds from international organisations, the European Union, non-governmental organisations or private entities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
An amendment to the Aliens Decree (Vb) established the possibility to omit the personal interview in subsequent applications. |
NL LEG 06 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The new Section V (Immigration) was established within the Federal Ministry of the Interior after an organisational restructuring. The new section brings together resources and knowledge on affairs related to asylum and immigration, including border control, Aliens Police, reception, residency, citizenship and return. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Malta |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
A new chamber was created within the Refugee Appeals Board. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
A new category for tolerated stay (Duldung) was created for persons whose removal cannot be carried out due to ambiguities in their identity which they created, for example by not handing over the necessary travel documents or by misleading the authorities concerning their identity and nationality. These persons are subject to the residence obligation (Wohnsitzauflage) and do not have the right to undertake gainful employment. |
DE LEG 03 2019 |
|
Greece |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Decision on the procedure for issuing travel documents to refugee beneficiaries. |
EL LEG 01 2019 |
|
Italy |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Within the Protection System for Beneficiaries of International Protection and Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (SIPROIMI), the Ministry of the Interior in Italy allocated funds to finance projects, organised by local authorities, related to unaccompanied minors. |
IT LEG 04 2019 |