|
Malta |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
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 |
|
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 |
|
Greece |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
|
Estonia |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The criteria for the risk of absconding when a return decision is issued were clarified. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
An amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners granted applicants the right to work if the Migration Department had not taken a decision on their application within six months of the lodging and the applicants were not responsible for the delay. |
LT LEG 02 2019 |
|
Norway |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
A legislative proposal was introduced for a national legal basis for a forced return monitoring system, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Return Directive. |
NO LEG 03 2019 |
|
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 |
|
Greece |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
The Dublin procedure |
The transfer of asylum applicants to the responsible Dublin state became the task of the State Border Guard Service. |
LT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The new Foster Care Act entered into force, whereby unaccompanied minors can stay with a foster family. |
HR LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The start and end point of an applicant’s right to work was clarified. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Amendments to the Law on Foreigners provide for a temporary automatic suspensive effect of an appeal against an expulsion order based on national-security grounds, containing “substantiated allegations” of important risk of death or ill treatment in the destination country. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The Smart Border package was submitted to the parliament, bringing new technological means of processing at the border, concerning specifically the Aliens Act and other relevant legislative provisions. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Greece |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
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 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens clarified the scope of free legal assistance as covering solely asylum procedures at the national level and thus excluding cases submitted before European courts. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Slovakia |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
A draft amendment to the Asylum Act and other related acts was adopted and put to public consultation, listing services available to asylum applicants. The amendments are expected to enter into force in June 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Spain |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A Royal Decree was introduced to facilitate the process of granting residence and work permits for unaccompanied children in Spain. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |