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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 Sort descending Country Year Type of development Thematic area Development Source
Germany Flag Germany 2019 Legislative Content of protection Content of protection The act introduced the tolerated status related to employment (Beschäftigungsduldung) for persons who can cover their own living costs and are well integrated. The criteria include: at least of 12 months of tolerated status (Vorduldung), clear identity, in employment for at least 18 months working at least 35 hours a week, stable livelihood and sufficient language knowledge. DE LEG 06 2019
Germany Flag Germany 2019 Legislative Detention Detention during the asylum procedure A “detention for non-cooperation” (Mitwirkungshaft) of 14 days was introduced, enforceable against foreigners who do not cooperate in the establishment of their identity in the framework of return. DE LEG 03 2019
Germany Flag Germany 2019 Legislative Content of protection Content of protection The residence regulation applicable to a beneficiary can only be lifted when the relevant authority at the place of originally-assigned residence gives its explicit agreement. DE LEG 05 2019
Germany Flag Germany 2020 Institutional Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance The Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly created a new joint working group on migration, asylum and integration. EASO Asylum Report 2021
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 Content of protection Content of protection The new act clarified that if the reason for an applicant to move to another federal state becomes obsolete three months from the move, then the first federal state must continue to bear integration costs for three years. DE LEG 05 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
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Policy Access to procedure icon Access to procedure In the framework of the Consolidated Government Policy Plan 2021, the Prime Minister announced among the main projects related to asylum and migration the establishment of an innovative closed controlled structures on the island and inland with multiple levels of security. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Greece Flag Greece 2022 Legislative Special procedures to assess protection needs Special procedures to assess protection needs Türkiye was retained as a safe third country. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Processing asylum applications at first instance 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 Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Applicants with special needs 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
Greece Flag Greece 2019 Institutional Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance The Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Ministry of Migration Policy were merged into a new Ministry of Citizen Protection. EASO Asylum Report 2020
Greece Flag Greece 2019 Legislative Content of protection Content of protection The length of residence permits for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection was decreased to one year (from three years), renewable for two years. EL LEG 05 2019
Greece Flag Greece 2021 Institutional Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum was reorganised and some services were centralised, and corresponding offices and staff from the Reception and Identification Service (RIS) were transferred to the ministry. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Policy Processing asylum applications at first instance 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
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Special procedures to process asylum applications 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 Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Interpretation services 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
Greece Flag Greece 2019 Legislative Special procedures to process asylum applications 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
Greece Flag Greece 2021 Legislative Content of protection 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
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Detention Detention during the asylum procedure The concept of closed controlled island structures (KEDN) was clarified. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Greece Flag Greece 2019 Legislative Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance Decision on the procedure for issuing travel documents to refugee beneficiaries. EL LEG 01 2019
Greece Flag Greece 2021 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Law No 4825/2021 amended the provisions related to the Greek health care number (PAAYPA) to clarify some of the administrative issues related to the number’s issuance. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Policy Applicants with special needs Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure The Prime Minister announced the planned legislative reform for the protection of unaccompanied children for 2021. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Greece Flag Greece 2022 Legislative Applicants with special needs Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure Law No 4960/2022 aims to establish a uniform national guardianship system for unaccompanied migrant children. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Greece Flag Greece 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A law added two new types of Regional Services of the Reception and Identification Service: closed structures for temporary reception of applicants against whom a restraining order was issued and closed controlled structures of islands. EASO Asylum Report 2021