|
Cyprus |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Development of a screening system for vulnerable applicants was developed in the First Reception Centre “Pournara”, with the tool waiting to be implemented in practice. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
Discussions were underway to revise the methods for an age assessment, in particular related to bone X-rays. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Belgium adopted an exceptional regulation which temporarily allowed an additional procedural document to be submitted when the appeal was restricted to a written procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
During the months when personal interviews were halted the focus was on case loads for which an interview had already taken place. Furthermore, the focus during this period was also on cases where it was clear, based on written documents, that the applicant was in need of international protection (mostly Syrians or where a family member had already obtained international protection). Likewise, subsequent applications without any new elements received a decision without an interview. When interviews resumed, priority was given to applicants who were within the reception system of the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil) and already had a status in another EU+ Member State and Brazilian applicants who were already in the country before applying for asylum. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2022 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Efforts to recruit staff for the Immigration Office, CGRS and Fedasil continued throughout 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Denmark |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Evidentiary requirements were lightened from women and girl applicants from Afghanistan. International protection was granted in all relevant cases and rejected cases were reopened. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Ireland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Executive Officers in the International Protection Office (IPO) were granted the authority for single sign-off on certain cases. Some panel members and case workers are assigned to handle caseloads from specific countries to improve their knowledge for swift decision-making. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Iceland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
Family reunification requests from Afghan residents were treated with priority in 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil and the Red Cross established an agreement with the Flemish Integration and Civic Integration Agency to notify the public of the opening of any new reception centre and the agency would appoint a liaison officer to support the local administration in addressing residents. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil concluded a cooperation agreement with the construction sector to orient asylum applicants towards employment in construction. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
Fedasil in Belgium issued a new instruction on the implementation of the return process for failed applicants with serious medical issues. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil issued a new instruction on the forced and voluntary withdrawal of reception conditions for working applicants. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
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 |
|
Belgium |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil launched a seven-module training programme for managers and training in breathing techniques for staff working in reception centres to support their emotional resilience. The content of the training on dealing with aggression was expanded. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
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 |
|
Belgium |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil presented its new management plan for the period 2021-2026. It defines the organisation’s strategic and operational objectives. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Austria |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Financing for people in reception was increased, after the Austrian Federal Parliament approved an amendment to the agreement between the federal state and the provinces. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
Fingerprinting became obligatory for all applicants aged 6 years and older. The age range for fingerprints was 14 years and older. |
DE LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Finland opened consultations on proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act (359/2003) and the Government Decree on Citizenship (293/2013). |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Sweden |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
Following a decision of the new Swedish parliament, the annual refugee quota was reduced from 5,000 to 900 resettled refugees for 2023. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
Following a law amendment, the Regional Services for Reception and Identification are also considered to be competent receiving authorities for the full registration of international protection. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Following a serious incident, applicants in reception may now be placed temporarily in time-out, a separate, sober place within a reception facility where applicants would only be entitled to material reception conditions in kind, not in cash. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Slovenia |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Following amendments to the International Protection Act (IPA), rules were adopted on the procedure for foreigners who wish to apply for international protection and the procedure for accepting applications for international protection. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Slovenia |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Following amendments to the International Protection Act (IPA), two new decrees were adopted on an applicant’s reception rights and accommodations for unaccompanied children, as well as a decree on house rules of the asylum centre. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Following amendments, the Law on Asylum and Refugees clearly states that state authorities have an obligation to ensure asylym applicants' access to legal aid. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |