|
Greece |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The European Commission created a task force on 23 September 2020 to resolve the emergency situation on Lesvos. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The fast-track procedure was re-introduced for nationals of certain countries of origin: countries on the list of safe countries of origin, visa-exempt countries and – because of the high number of weakly-justified claims – Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The Federal Administrative Court published its report on the evaluation of the asylum appeals procedure after the reform of the asylum procedure entered into force in 2019. |
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 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Federal Council adopted its opinion on a report by the Political Institutions Committee of the Council of States concerning a parliamentary initiative on granting the same family reunification regimes to beneficiaries of international protection and persons with temporary admission. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The Federal Council announced that it will not create a legal basis in the Law for Foreigners and Integration for the introduction of electronic bracelets as an alternative to administrative detention. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Institutional |
|
Content of protection |
The Federal Council approved financial support for integration measures, including contributions to cantonal programmes which promote employment. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Federal Council modified the assessment for fitness to travel of persons who are returned or expelled. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Federal Council sought to renew the Central Information System on Migration (SYMIC) and develop new functionalities. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
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 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The federal government and the provinces concluded an agreement to harmonise the child and youth welfare system in general, defining the responsibilities of the provinces in providing care and support to unaccompanied minors. |
AT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Germany |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The federal government published a report on the situation of unaccompanied foreign minors in Germany. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Germany |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community submitted to the Federal Cabinet its evaluation report on the Data Exchange Improvement Act, which was adopted in 2016 and introduced a comprehensive and standardised registration of applicants in the Central Registry of Foreigners (AZR). |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The final report of the commission for the evaluation of policies on foreigners' voluntary and forced return (also known as the Bossuyt Commission) was published. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The financial allowance rates were adjusted. Single applicants receive EUR 354 (from EUR 344 previously). A couple in the same accommodation receives EUR 310 (from EUR 318 previously). An applicant accommodated in a reception centre receives EUR 310 and Young people between 14 and 17 years and adults under 25 years living with their parents are entitled to EUR 275. |
DE LEG 02 2019 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Finnish Immigration Service announced in March 2023 that it had gathered sufficient, updated country information from Afghanistan on the security situation of different provinces and had been able to start making decisions for all Afghan applicants. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Institutional |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Finnish Immigration Service became entirely responsible for providing guidance on, planning and monitoring the guardianship of unaccompanied children in 2020, and this new arrangement started to be implemented in 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Finnish Immigration Service developed a quality assurance system for the interpretation services used during asylum interviews, in the framework of the AMIF-funded Tulppaani project. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Finnish Immigration Service developed an online course and exam on Finnish society and values. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
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 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Finnish Immigration Service initiated a new practice which allows applicant children younger than 12 years old to be heard more frequently, ensuring that the bests interests of the child are taken into account effectively and systematically in the asylum procedure. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
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 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Finnish Immigration Service started to notify applicants, whenever possible, through phone or videoconferencing about the decision on their application. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Institutional |
|
Interpretation services |
The Finnish Immigration Service was restructured at the end of 2020, and the Legal Services Unit became responsible for assessing interpretation services. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Finnish Ministry of the Interior launched a project to bring together the expertise of various stakeholders in the asylum system to develop uniform, long-term objectives and more comprehensive immigration and asylum policies. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |