Age assessment practice in Europe (EASO)

The purpose of this publication is to provide practical support to Member States in the field of age assessment.

Age assessment is the process by which authorities seek to establish the chronological age, or range of age, or whether an individual is an adult or a child.

When the age is unknown, it is important to identify children to ensure they are protected and afforded the provisions entitled to them under law, and also to prevent adults from being placed amongst children and from taking advantage of additional provisions. Age assessment should only be used where there are grounds for serious doubt.  

The following topics are addressed in the study:

  • Circumstances in which age assessment may be a legitimate and necessary aim
  • Procedural measures and safeguards which should be in place during the age assessment procedure
  • Age assesmeeent tools and methods
  • Role of the actors within the age assessment procedure
  • Best interests of the child as a primary consideration

The report also includes several interesting annexes:

Annex 1 — Definitions and glossary
Annex 2 — Legal and policy framework
Annex 3 — Summary of the legal provisions
Annex 4 — National legal and policy frameworks: an overview of relevant instruments
Annex 5 — Overview of the different procedural and safeguarding elements currently in use during the age assessment processes
Annex 6 — Overview of age assessment methods in use by country

Publication Date:
Fri 04 Apr 2014
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