|
Netherlands |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service announced that it will simplify the language used in written communication with applicants to ensure that they fully understand the messages. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Netherlands |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The extension of the time limit to decide on asylum cases from 6 months to 15 months was prolonged until 1 January 2025. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The government amended the Gender Identity Act to allow refugees to legally identify as non-binary. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The government proposed amendments to the International Protection Act, including clarifying that applications deemed to be manifestly unfounded must meet specific criteria, distinguishing them from regular unfounded applications. Additionally, it includes provisions on revoking or refusing to renew subsidiary protection status if false or omitted information was pivotal in granting it. The amendments were passed in February 2025. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
Following a legal amendment, vulnerable groups may be detained, but the competent authorities must ensure regular monitoring and adequate support. Moreover, minors are detained only as a measure of last resort and after it has been established that other less coercive alternative measures cannot be applied effectively. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency suspended the assessment of applications from Syrian nationals. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Following a legal amendment, medical examinations to determine the age of unaccompanied minors may be carried out when there are doubts about the applicant’s age after general statements or other indications. If there are uncertainties after the examination, the authorities must assume that the applicant is a minor unless there are documents that prove otherwise. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second instance |
Following a legal amendment, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal can access information in the applicant’s file relating to national security. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The government set up a new website and several information campaigns to encourage the return of people who have been found not to need international protection. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Malta |
2024 |
Institutional |
|
Return of former applicants |
The government appointed the first Thematic Ambassador for Immigration, a position created to strengthen immigration work abroad. The Ambassador will work on topics such as the return of former applicants and cooperation with third countries. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Luxembourg |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
In view of the transposition of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, a new centre was established for people of the following profiles: i) people in the Dublin procedure; ii) people awaiting a voluntary return after their applications for international protection have been definitively rejected and where all possible appeals have been exhausted; and iii) occasionally, irregular third-country nationals who did not apply for international protection. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Luxembourg |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Efforts in 2024 focused on increasing efficiency in processing applications for international protection by optimising workflows and aiming to reduce the backlog. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Luxembourg |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The National Reception Office launched a call for AMIF-funded projects to support vulnerable applicants, such as minors and victims of human trafficking. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Luxembourg |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the suspension of the examination of applications from Syrian nationals. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Luxembourg |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The new law on intercultural living came into effect. It establishes a ‘communal pact’ between the minister and municipalities, providing them with financial support. Additionally, it creates municipal commissions which are tasked with promoting intercultural coexistence at the local level. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Migration Information Centre’s services were expanded and strengthened by allocating funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The aim is to address the challenges foreigners face in Lithuania and promote their integration into the local community. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The new Reception and Integration Agency is now responsible for interpretation during the stage of lodging an asylum application and in the reception facilities. The Migration Department remains responsible for interpretation during the substantive asylum interview. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) granted EUR 10 million to improve the infrastructure of existing reception facilities and expand capacity with the involvement of municipalities. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Following a legislative amendment, state-guaranteed legal aid for foreigners is now organised by the Reception and Integration Agency which operates under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour rather than by the Migration Department. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Following a legislative reform, the Vilnius District Administrative Court was reorganised by merging with the Regional Administrative District Court to form a single Regional Administrative Court. Before the reform, only the Vilnius Court heard asylum appeals. Now, all five chambers of the new court review asylum cases. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Migration Department allocated funds to increase staff salaries and carry out reforms. The aim is to improve customer service, attract new specialists and decrease the high staff turnover. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners was amended to establish that asylum seekers who submit a subsequent application without new substantial information are not granted the right to remain in Lithuania after filing a court complaint, unless the Regional Administrative Court applies interim measures. This means expulsion can occur immediately after a decision on the subsequent application, unless the court applied interim measures. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Lithuania |
2024 |
Institutional |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A new Reception and Integration Agency was established to oversee services such as accommodation, health checks, vulnerability assessments, and the coordination of legal and translation support. It started to operate in January 2025, after the reconstruction of the Refugee Reception Centre. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Latvia |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs suspended decisions on applications by Syrian nationals. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |
|
Latvia |
2024 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs launched a new information and communication campaign to raise awareness about the asylum process and applicants’ rights and obligations. It includes activities in reception centres aiming to bring together locals and residents. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2025 |