|
Belgium |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The notification of negative decisions was temporarily suspended for applicants from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the suspension was fully lifted on 2 March 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Croatia |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Croatia introduced specific policies for the vaccination of asylum applicants, specifying that vaccines are free of charge, on a voluntary basis and by registration to receive an appointment. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Psyyke project was implemented with AMIF funding between 1 March 2019 and 30 June 2021, offering training and guidance to reception staff on mental health support in reception facilities. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Norway |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
An internal review of 54 return cases from 2019 took place in the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) in order to examine how UNE assesses what is in the best interests of the child in return cases. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Germany |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The AnkER concept is planned not to be used any longer, even though similar facilities for initial reception remain. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Sweden |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
A legal position was published on public assistants, outlining the requirements to be appointed by the Swedish Migration Agency. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Iceland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Directorate of Immigration was developing new standard operating procedures for applicants with disabilities and mental health issues. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The State Secretariat for Migration presented the results of the first evaluation of the law that reformed the asylum procedure in 2019. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Italy |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Ministry of the Interior signed a memorandum of understanding with civil society organisations (Rete per la Parità, Le Contemporanee, the National Council of Italian Women and the Italian division of Soroptimist International) to support the reception and integration of Afghan evacuees. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
France |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Ministry of the Interior published its National plan for the reception of applicants and the integration of refugees for 2021-2023, aiming to create 4,500 additional reception places in 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Latvia |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Ministry of Education and Science prepared a report on applicant children’s education, informing the Cabinet of Ministers of the challenges and potential solutions in light of the increased number of applicant children in the country. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Ireland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process examined issues regarding the provision of interpretation during accommodation in the International Protection Process in Ireland and recommended to introduce an accreditation test for interpreters from mid-2023 and to adopt a code of conduct. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
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 |
|
Netherlands |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
The IND published new work instructions on Palestinians. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2021 |
Policy |
|
The Dublin procedure |
New work instructions were published on when and how a case officer should request advice from the Medical Advisory Office to assess an applicant’s aptitude to travel. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The AWAS reduced the length of contracts signed with male adult applicants for their accommodation from 1 year to 6 months. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Netherlands |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
New work instructions were published on the examination of identity and family relations in family reunification procedures, including the use of DNA tests. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Sweden |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Swedish government tasked several national bodies, including the police and the Swedish Migration Agency, to analyse the factors that prevent the enforcement of a decision on a refusal of entry or return. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Portugal |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
Around 200 refugees, who were evacuated from Afghanistan, were received as the government pledged to receive Afghan nationals on humanitarian admission grounds. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Croatia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The national authorities concluded standard operating procedures on sexual and gender-based violence with UNHCR and national NGOs towards the end of 2020, aiming to start implementation as soon as possible. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Spain |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The sponsor in Spain must now begin the family reunification procedure, not the family member in the country of origin. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
The Council of Ministers adopted the draft royal decree establishing a list of safe countries of origin. The draft did not include any changes to the list of safe countries from the previous year. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Sweden |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Swedish Migration Agency updated its legal position from 2015 on the investigation and assessment of a future risk of persecution for applicants claiming asylum due to sexual orientation or gender identity. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Belgium |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
Applicants had to book an appointment online for their registration between April and October 2020. The first instance tribunal of Brussels ruled that this practice was against the law, hence from 30 October 2020 registration in person started again at the arrival centre, without prior appointment. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
France |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The National Court of Asylum (CNDA) signed an agreement with the bar association on the implementation of video hearings. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |