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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 Sort descending Thematic area Development Source
France Flag France 2019 Legislative The Dublin procedure The Dublin procedure An order designated the préfectures responsible for the implementation of Dublin procedures. FR 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
Cyprus Flag Cyprus 2021 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection New orders were issued by the Ministry of Labour, allowing applicants to start working before a formal decision is made on the work permit application. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Finland Flag Finland 2021 Legislative Content of protection Content of protection A draft government proposal was sent out for comments to amend the Aliens Act provisions on the family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Italy Flag Italy 2021 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Decree Law No 139 provided for the creation of 3,000 new places for families in the System for Reception and Integration (SAI). EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Malta Flag Malta 2021 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection Amendments to the Maltese Reception Regulations provided a more comprehensive transposition of the provisions in the recast Reception Directive on material reception conditions for vulnerable applicants. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Slovenia Flag Slovenia 2021 Legislative Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance Amendments to the International Protection Act (IPA) introduced the possibility to have remote interviews where necessary. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Sweden Flag Sweden 2021 Legislative Statelessness in the context of asylum Statelessness in the context of asylum The Act on Swedish Citizenship was amended to grant a stateless person holding a temporary residence permit the right to obtain Swedish citizenship, following amendments in the Aliens Act. EUAA Asylum Report 2022
Bulgaria Flag Bulgaria 2022 Legislative The Dublin procedure The Dublin procedure The government adopted amendments to the ordinance regulating the coordination between the asylum and police (border and immigration) administrations when implementing the Dublin III Regulation. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Netherlands Flag Netherlands 2020 Legislative Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance The temporary law suspending the incremental penalty payments was passed and applicants are no longer entitled to compensation when the IND does not decide on their case within 6 months. The law will be in force for a year. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Finland Flag Finland 2022 Legislative Content of protection Content of protection Several legislative amendments were introduced to prepare for the transfer of responsibility for organising health and social services, including integration services, from municipalities to wellbeing services counties. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
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
Sweden Flag Sweden 2020 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection Reception of applicants for international protection A new governmental project is planned to be implemented in Sweden in 2021, obliging applicants to attend a one-day information session about the host society. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Italy Flag Italy 2022 Legislative Detention Detention during the asylum procedure The use of quarantine vessels was extended until the end of May 2022. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Malta Flag Malta 2022 Legislative Applicants with special needs Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure The Immigration Act was amended on the rules for appointing interim guardians for prohibited migrants who claim to be minors. The CEO of AWAS may again appoint a guardian. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Italy Flag Italy 2020 Legislative Detention Detention during the asylum procedure The amendments strengthened the duty of authorities to provide information about a detained applicant's rights and entitlements. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Romania Flag Romania 2022 Legislative Applicants with special needs Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure The government approved a decision on a new national mechanism to identify and refer victims of human trafficking. EUAA Asylum Report 2023
Lithuania Flag Lithuania 2020 Legislative Processing asylum applications at first instance Processing asylum applications at first instance The Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners was amended and states that all asylum-related decisions must be issued within 6 months. When the court returns the case, the deadline is 3 months. The examination of an asylum application is terminated without prior suspension when the applicant absconds. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Switzerland Flag Switzerland 2022 Legislative Reception of applicants for international protection 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
Malta Flag Malta 2020 Legislative Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance 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
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
Iceland Flag Iceland 2020 Legislative Special procedures to process asylum applications Special procedures to process asylum applications A draft law would add a new Article 35a defining subsequent applications and noting that negative decisions for subsequent applications are automatically reviewed by the Immigration Appeals Board, unless the applicant specifically request otherwise. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Bulgaria Flag Bulgaria 2020 Legislative Special procedures to process asylum applications Special procedures to process asylum applications Amendments updated the definitions for the terms 'safe country of origin' and 'safe third country' and additional guarantees were added in the law, as foreseen in the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. EASO Asylum Report 2021
Cyprus Flag Cyprus 2020 Legislative Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance An amendment clarified that an appeal against a rejection of the asylum application together with a return, removal or expulsion order has suspensive effect. EASO Asylum Report 2021