|
Sweden |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Swedish Migration Agency published a legal position on the competency check of interpreters and translators. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The State Secretariat for Migration assessed the functioning of the asylum system during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
France |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The General Directorate for Foreigners in France launched a telephone support centre for employees of the local orientation platforms (SPADA) and reception centres. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Latvia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The State Border Guard's internal regulations were amended to determine the procedure for children accompanied by an adult applicant who is ordered to be detained. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The IND published new work instructions on further investigation in family reunification procedures, including DNA testing in the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
In the framework of the Flexibility of the Asylum Chain Programme, tweaks started to be introduced to the identification and registration process, including the launching of the control board (regietafel), setting up a front portal (voorportal) in Ter Apel and introducing the use of a common file structure available for all stakeholders of the asylum chain. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Country of origin information |
CEDOCA developed a new training programme on COI through an online tutorial. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Croatia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The AMIF-funded project, Translation services during providing assistance in the integration process was ongoing. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
The Finnish Immigration Service published a report on the duty of the authorities to clarify and gather information on immigration matters in general, including for asylum applications. The report forms part of the AMIF-funded MISEC project, which aims to strengthen cooperation between immigration and security authorities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
A new community sponsorship programme was activated and the first families arrived to Belgium through this programme at the end of 2020. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Among the planned government projects for 2021, the consolidation and upgrading of electronic decision-making, tele-interviewing and tele-interpretation initiatives are foreseen. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Further clarifications were provided for the assessment of family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection. For example, the fact that the family members were not named during the asylum procedure is not in itself a ground to reject family reunification, but it can be taken into account when assessing the actual family link. For foster children, the biological parents' identity and the foster parent's family link to the biological parents always need to be clarified. When the biological parents are still present, the link between a foster child and foster parents can only be recognised for family reunification under very exceptional circumstances. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Sweden |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
The Swedish Parliament adopted the government's proposal from December 2020 to incorporate the rules on safe countries of origin in the Aliens Act. The new rules allow the Swedish Migration Agency to consider an application manifestly unfounded if the applicant comes from a country included in the list. The amendments enter into force on 1 May 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Austria |
2020 |
Institutional |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU, Bundesagentur fuer Betreuungs- und Unterstuetzungsleistungen GmbH) started its activities on 1 December 2020 related to the provision of material reception conditions. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Italy |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The income and family support measures provided in the Cura Italia Decree, including a EUR 600 allowance, babysitting allowance and COVID-19 special leave, were made accessible to applicants in employment. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Lithuania |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
Applications in the accelerated procedure are processed within 10 days. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Luxembourg |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A new regulation sets out the operation and work process of the interdisciplinary commission to evaluate the best interests of unaccompanied minors in a return decision. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
The implementation of the rules on the exceptional border procedure - which applies to third-country nationals in Reception and Identification Centres in Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos - were extended until 31 December 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Interpretation services |
An amendment clarified that where the provision of interpretation is not possible in the applicant's language of choice, interpretation is provided in the official language of the applicant's country of origin or in another language which may reasonably be assumed to be understood by the applicant, including international sign language. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Hungary |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Article 80/K(11) now also includes persons whose status ceased or was revoked, meaning that when they submit a subsequent application under the rules applicable during a state of crisis caused by mass migration, they will not be entitled to a residence permit, material reception conditions or access to work. Previously this section included only persons whose application was rejected or terminated with a final decision. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
In order to fill gaps in labour market shortages caused by the pandemic, applicants were exceptionally exempted from the 4-month waiting period until 30 June 2020. In view of the continuing shortage of workers in some sectors due to the closing of the borders, this measure was resumed from December 2020 until 30 June 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Cyprus |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
When a subsequent application is deemed to be inadmissible, the appeal needs to be lodged within 15 days. |
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 |
|
Norway |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Directorate for Integration and Diversity, in cooperation with municipalities, carried out for the first time a survey on the experiences of participants in the introduction programme. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Sweden |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Swedish Migration Agency published its legal position on the derivative status in asylum cases. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |