|
Italy |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The use of quarantine vessels was extended until the end of May 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Malta |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Immigration Act was amended on the rules for appointing interim guardians for prohibited migrants who claim to be minors. The CEO of AWAS may again appoint a guardian. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Italy |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The amendments strengthened the duty of authorities to provide information about a detained applicant's rights and entitlements. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Romania |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The government approved a decision on a new national mechanism to identify and refer victims of human trafficking. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Lithuania |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners was amended and states that all asylum-related decisions must be issued within 6 months. When the court returns the case, the deadline is 3 months. The examination of an asylum application is terminated without prior suspension when the applicant absconds. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Federal Council submitted a proposal for amendments on the operation of reception centres to ensure the safety and security of asylum applicants and reception staff. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Malta |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal now has a full-time chairperson and two or more members on a part-time basis, appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Decisions may be notified by e-mail, where the decision is considered to be notified 48 hours after it was sent to the applicant. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A Joint Ministerial Decision was issued on age assessments, foreseeing the establishment of a Unit of Medical Examination and Psychosocial Support in Reception and Identification Centres and Temporary Reception or Accommodation structures where the age assessment procedures is carried out. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Iceland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
A draft law would add a new Article 35a defining subsequent applications and noting that negative decisions for subsequent applications are automatically reviewed by the Immigration Appeals Board, unless the applicant specifically request otherwise. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
Amendments updated the definitions for the terms 'safe country of origin' and 'safe third country' and additional guarantees were added in the law, as foreseen in the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Estonia |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The administrative court may order an applicant's detention without the descriptive and reasoning part when it is faced with a high number of detention requests. These parts are provided to the applicant if the detention decision is contested. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Amendments to the Law on Foreigners provide for a temporary automatic suspensive effect of an appeal against an expulsion order based on national-security grounds, containing “substantiated allegations” of important risk of death or ill treatment in the destination country. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The Smart Border package was submitted to the parliament, bringing new technological means of processing at the border, concerning specifically the Aliens Act and other relevant legislative provisions. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Greece |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Law No 4825/2021 adjusted some of the provisions related to the delivery of travel documents to beneficiaries of international protection. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens clarified the scope of free legal assistance as covering solely asylum procedures at the national level and thus excluding cases submitted before European courts. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Slovakia |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
A draft amendment to the Asylum Act and other related acts was adopted and put to public consultation, listing services available to asylum applicants. The amendments are expected to enter into force in June 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Spain |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A Royal Decree was introduced to facilitate the process of granting residence and work permits for unaccompanied children in Spain. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |