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National Asylum Developments Database

 

The National Asylum Developments Database presents legislative, institutional and policy developments related to asylum since 2018.

Searches can be narrowed down by:

  • Country
  • Year
  • Type of development: legislative, institutional or policy 
  • Thematic area: access to procedure, access to information, legal assistance and representation, interpretation services, special procedures, procedures at first instance, reception of applicants for international protection, detention, procedures at second instance, country of origin information, statelessness in the asylum context, content of protection, return of former applicants, resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes.

Details on each development and further analysis can be consulted in the Asylum Report series.
 

Types of policies and practices reported in the National Asylum Developments Database

The National Asylum Developments Database can be searched by institutional, legislative and policy changes. There are three types of policy developments:

Policies and practices related to the integrity of national asylum systems aim to swiftly identify unfounded asylum applications and ensure that financial, human and administrative resources are not dissipated on such claims. These measures involve efforts to rapidly establish an applicant’s identity, including age, country of origin, travel route and security concerns if any. These facts help to better assess the credibility of the applicant’s statements and determine whether beneficiaries of international protection are still in need of protection. The prevention of unintentional misuse of the asylum procedure and its integrity are also supported by the provision of information to asylum applicants and beneficiaries of international protection on their respective rights and obligations and related procedural arrangements.

Policies and practices that improve the efficiency of national asylum systems include digitalisation and the use of new technologies in the framework of asylum, prioritising or fast-tracking applications, the re-organisation of the procedure itself or implementing changes in the number of staff employed.

Policy and practice aiming to enhance the quality of national asylum systems contribute to increasing fairness, integrity and efficiency. Quality assurance systems, guidance materials and capacity-building measures typically pay off on the initial investment and efforts. The initiatives include staff training, revising existing guidance materials and monitoring the quality of the decisions delivered.

The database presents validated factual information and does not imply any endorsement from the European Commission or EUAA.

Flag Country Year Type of development Thematic area Sort descending Development Source
Spain Flag Spain 2021 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Following new instructions, only recognised beneficiaries of international protection can be referred to the second phase of the national reception system. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Luxembourg Flag Luxembourg 2020 Institutional Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection On 1 January 2020, the National Reception Office (ONA), which is under the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, replaced the Luxembourg Office for Reception and Integration (OLAI) for the reception of asylum applications. The responsibility for integration was transferred to the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region under the Department for Integration. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Switzerland Flag Switzerland 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection An amendment to Ordinance 2 on asylum settled the funding of security costs of federal reception centres when they are temporarily closed. The confederation pays a lump sum for a year, even when the centre is closed. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A Ministerial Decision amended the framework of the ESTIA II programme for the accommodation of applicants for international protection. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Norway Flag Norway 2022 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The Norwegian government and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) increased capacity in the national arrival centre, in emergency accommodation, including accommodation for displaced persons from Ukraine, and in ordinary reception centres. A scheme for alternative temporary reception space was also launched. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Netherlands Flag Netherlands 2019 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Applicants become entitled to non-emergency health care treatments after two months from registration. The differentiation on access to health care is not based on the reception location of stay anymore but only on the length of the applicant’s stay in the Netherlands. EASO Asylum Report 2020
Switzerland Flag Switzerland 2022 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The military offered temporary support in the establishment and operation of federal reception centres, pending the arrival of newly-recruited, qualified State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) staff. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
France Flag France 2019 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Amendments are planned to be introduced to health care coverage: applicants would no longer have access to the universal health care insurance (PUMA) until after three months of residence in the country. EASO Asylum Report 2020
Slovenia Flag Slovenia 2021 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The new sanction system for breaching house rules of the reception facility started to be applied. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
France Flag France 2021 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection OFII signed a convention with Marseille for the municipality to provide medical services and vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B for migrants in general, including asylum applicants. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Greece Flag Greece 2021 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A ministerial decision underlined that material reception conditions can be withdrawn, keeping the right to education and medical support, when an applicant breaches the accommodation rules of any type of facility, especially in the case of violent behaviour. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Luxembourg Flag Luxembourg 2021 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The new first-reception centre started its operations at the beginning 2021, and staff optimised processes and information flows. Particular focus was given to promote voluntary returns for applicants with little chances of being recognised to avoid forced returns. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Netherlands Flag Netherlands 2021 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection An AMIF-funded project aimed to develop and implement a methodology allowing for applicants' active participation in civic and social life within and outside of reception centres. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Croatia Flag Croatia 2020 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A new health care project was set up with AMIF funding, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Medecins du Monde. The purpose of the project is the protection of health and prevention of disease among asylum applicants through improved access to initial check-ups and medical consultations in reception centres. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Finland Flag Finland 2020 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The Ministry of the Interior launched a project for preparing a series of legislative amendments that would ensure improved management of large-scale arrivals. The Reception Act and the Immigration Detention Act are both planned to be amended. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Switzerland Flag Switzerland 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection An amendment to the Asylum Act entered into force, which describes the modalities and limits of video surveillance in federal reception centres. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Slovakia Flag Slovakia 2022 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The Asylum Act was amended and codified the practice that applicants can stay outside of the reception facility for 3 months, with the possibility of extending this period without losing the right to material reception conditions. The act also regulates the initial integration of beneficiaries of international protection. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A new law outlined the development of information systems in reception structures and clarified the end of material reception conditions for recognised beneficiaries of international protection. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Greece Flag Greece 2022 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Reception capacity decreased and the ESTIA programme was completed and discontinued. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Cyprus Flag Cyprus 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A Ministerial Decision defined the provision of material reception conditions in cash. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Finland Flag Finland 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A temporary amendment was passed to the Aliens Act to extend the period of an applicant's right to work. Applicants were temporarily able to work in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and fisheries without a waiting period and they could continue to work in these sectors longer, until they are in the country and receive material reception conditions, despite an enforceable removal decision. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Croatia Flag Croatia 2019 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The AMIF-funded project Psychosocial services and support for international protection applicants was signed with the Croatian Red Cross. EASO Asylum Report 2020
Finland Flag Finland 2019 Policy Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The Finnish Immigration Service gave reception centres several operating guidelines, including on health care services, work and study activities. EASO Asylum Report 2020
Germany Flag Germany 2019 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Applicants undertaking voluntary work may keep EUR 200 of volunteer allowance, in addition to the benefits granted under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. DE LEG 02 2019
Germany Flag Germany 2019 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The level of benefits for applicants is more aligned with the general level of social security, for example with the level of basic support for job seekers. Electricity and maintenance are now provided as in-kind benefits and therefore their costs are deducted from cash benefits. DE LEG 02 2019