|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency initiated a process to digitise all physical case files and transition towards an electronic filing system. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency introduced a policy to optimise case management in an effort to address the considerable backlog of pending cases, including a minimum quota for case officers to conduct interviews and submit assessments, a rule to hold one interview where all information is collected, and electronic ways of communicating notifications for interviews. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency introduced regular and routine reflective meetings on the quality of asylum procedure, and set up the Quality Control Unit with EUAA support. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency issued internal guidelines, which were formally adopted in 2020 and implemented in 2021, on interviewing and assessing applications based on sexual orientation and gender identity. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency sampled cases for quality assurance. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency’s interpreters are bound by a code of conduct to increase professionalism and performance since 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal now has a full-time chairperson and two or more members on a part-time basis, appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Ireland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Office implemented a new case load management system. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Ireland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Office implemented a revised asylum application procedure. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Ireland |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The International Protection Student Scheme 2022-2023 provided grants to eligible school leavers in the international protection system. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Norway |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Interpretation services |
The Interpretation Act entered into force, obliging public bodies to use a qualified interpreter. It stipulates the requirement of professional conduct, including the duty of confidentiality, by interpreters. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The introduction of the new civic integration system is further postponed and it is foreseen to be launched on 1 January 2022 instead of 1 July 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Ireland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Irish government announced its intention at the end of 2020 to reduce the waiting period for asylum applicants from 9 months to 6 months to apply for a work permit. The permission's validity was to be extended from 6 months to 12 months. The new measures were introduced in January 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Ireland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The Irish government established an Afghan Admission Programme with 500 places available under this programme. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Ireland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Irish International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) implemented a new policy in respect of COVID-19 prevention measures to require applicants who were away from the centre for more than one night without permission to undergo a period of quarantine before readmission to the centre. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Italy |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
The Italian authorities issued a tender for the rental of five private vessels to accommodate migrants rescued at sea during the period of quarantine. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Italy |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Italian government shared clarifications on the process of and the requirements for converting the permit of an unaccompanied minor to a work permit. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Latvia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued humanitarian visas for Belarusians in a shorter timeframe and applicants were required to contact the embassy only once instead of twice. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
France |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The launching of the AGIR programme was announced, proposing individualised, 20-month integration pathways to all beneficiaries of international protection, with a focus on housing and employment. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The law facilitates access to vocational training for all persons with a right to work in Germany, regardless of the initial residence circumstances of the person concerned. |
DE LEG 04 2019 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Law on Asylum and Refugees was amended in a comprehensive manner to bring national legislation more in line with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. For example, the law allows for gathering expert opinions on a larger range of issues. It provides guidance on gathering and using information for the assessment of a case. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Law on Asylum and Refugees was amended to address shortcomings in the identification, legal representation and age assessment procedure for unaccompanied children. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Law on Foreigners was amended to provide clarification on the return procedure. For example, the country to which a return is to be executed must be indicated in the return decision. Automatic suspensive effect was introduced for an appeal which is filed against an expulsion order issued on the grounds of serious threat to public order. In addition, if it is established by a judicial act that a foreigner subject to a removal order cannot be returned to a country due to a risk to the person's life and liberty or persecution, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, an order must be issued which explicitly states the prohibition of return and the state to which the foreigner should not be returned. This order is not subject to appeal. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The Law on Social Inclusion Income (REVIS) entered into force on 1 January 2019. All beneficiaries of international protection and their family members aged 25 or older can benefit from the social inclusion income. |
LU LEG 04 2019 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The Law on the Establishment and Operation of the Administrative Court was amended introducing an automatic suspensive effect for an appeal against a return decision, deportation order and removal order. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |