|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons decided to change the frequency of the ‘Female Genital Mutilation follow-up’. Parents will no longer receive a letter every year, but every 3 years, asking them to send a medical certificate proving that their daughter has not undergone FGM/C. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
In the second phase of an AMIF-funded project (2023-2025), researchers developed a tool to screen the child-friendliness of reception centres. An intensive programme was also introduced to improve conditions and develop opportunities for children. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Council for Alien Law Litigation introduced adjustments for handling cases by minors, including the creation of a specific courtroom and the introduction of a summons letter written in a child-friendly manner. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
After a 2-year suspension, Belgium resumed its resettlement programme, resettling 470 refugees. In July 2024, the program was put on hold again. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The Council for Alien Law Litigation increased its capacity by assigning asylum appeals to judges and legal professionals who previously worked only on migration appeals. A training programme was developed for this purpose. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons finalised and evaluated its project (Tabula Rasa) on increasing the efficiency and quality in its workflow. Based on the lessons learnt, a new project (Prisma) was launched. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons implemented an action plan for cases by Palestinian to ensure a decision is taken within 21 months of the submission. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons suspended the processing of applications submitted by Syrian nationals. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons suspended the notification of decisions granting or refusing subsidiary protection for applicants from Lebanon. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons resumed the processing of all cases by Russian nationals, as well as certain cases by applicants from Sudan. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons established a new policy on applicants from Somalia, underlining the importance of determining the actual origin and previous places of residence to assess a real fear of persecution and risk of serious harm. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
A fast-track procedure was implemented for applicants from Georgia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Moldova, Western Balkan countries and those who have a protection status in another Member State. This prioritisation would reduce processing times. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
The Dublin procedure |
The Proactive Return Policy Law was passed to increase the efficiency of Dublin transfers, among other objectives. It created special Dublin places in reception and legally embedded specific aspects related to the Dublin procedure, such as: the responsibility for taking a decision to extend the time limit to transfer an applicant, the duty to cooperate of the applicant in the transfer process, proactive coaching in individual case management in take back or take charge procedures, the concept of absconding and the list of preventive measures and less coercive measures for detention. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
Moldova was added to the list of safe countries of origin. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A new Royal Decree established mechanisms to ensure that occupants of a reception centre who have a professional income contribute to material aid and introduced sanctions for those who refuse to do so. It also seeks to establish a clear and equitable contribution framework that encourages residents to declare their income. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Reception Act was amended so that the end of the right to material reception conditions is now linked to a final negative decision on an asylum application and not to the notification of an order to leave the territory. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
The law providing for a specific residence on the grounds of statelessness came into force. It establishes a procedure for applications for an admission to stay. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Proactive Return Policy Law legally anchored the ban on detaining children. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The healthcare regulatory framework was amended so that it is no longer necessary to wait for the appointment of a guardian to activate the right to health insurance of unaccompanied minors. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Proactive Return Policy Law was passed to increase the efficiency of returns. It introduced a duty to cooperate in the return process, created special return places in reception, and expanded the list of competent authorities. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The Law on Family Reunification was amended. Parents of an accompanied minor with international protection now have the right to reunite with their child, and stateless persons are entitled to the same rights as beneficiaries of international protection in family reunification. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Belgium |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The Council of Ministers has legally implemented a digitalisation project to ease the administrative burden and improve access to healthcare for applicants. Legal amendments were made to allow for the personal data of applicants to be processed electronically. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Austria |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
Family reunification was suspended. Additionally, new measures were adopted for future reunifications, such as increasing the number of DNA tests and conducting document checks by experts. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Austria |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
The law establishing the Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU) was amended to comply with the Constitutional Court’s 2023 ruling on legal advice. It created a separate Legal Advice Service and introduced a Quality Advisory Board to provide advice to the service and make recommendations to BBU’s management and the ministries responsible for the agency. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Austria |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A mandatory course and community service became obligatory for asylum applicants. Those who do not participate receive reduced pocket money. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |