The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have proposed a new horizontal EU sanctions regime targeting migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and other serious forms of organised crime. The proposed framework would allow the European Union to impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities involved in such activities originating outside the EU where they pose a serious threat to the Union's values, the security of the EU and its Member States, or to international security. The proposals will now be examined by the Council.

The Belgian Council of State has suspended the decision of the Minister of Asylum and Migration to limit material reception conditions for applicants for international protection who have already obtained protection in another EU Member State. In its judgment No. 267.364 of 8 July 2026, the Council of State suspended the measure following an urgent appeal introduced by several organisations active in the field of asylum and migration. The decision concerns a measure adopted following the entry into application of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026.

The European Commission has rejected calls from the aviation sector and the Port of Dover to suspend the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) during the summer travel season. While acknowledging operational difficulties at around 20 external border crossing points, the Commission considers that suspending the system would not be appropriate. It has instead announced additional efforts to support Member States facing implementation challenges.

The Minister of Asylum and Migration, the Belgian Immigration Office and the municipality of Nazareth-De Pinte have announced the opening of a new European Return Centre in Nazareth-De Pinte in autumn 2026. The centre will have a capacity of 300 places and will accommodate applicants for international protection for whom another EU Member State may be responsible for examining their application. The facility will complement the existing Centre in Zaventem and aims to support procedures related to transfers to the responsible Member State.

For the next six months, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July to 31 December 2026, Ireland will chair the work of the Council and steer negotiations across a wide range of policy areas, including justice and home affairs. In the field of asylum and migration, the Irish Presidency has placed particular emphasis on implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, strengthening returns, and enhancing cooperation with partner countries.

On 25 June 2026, the Belgian Contact Point to the European Migration Network (EMN) participated in the third thematic meeting on children in migration, organised jointly by the Luxembourgish Contact Point to the EMN and the OKaJu (Ombudsman for Children in Luxembourg – Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugenlecher). The aim of the conference was to discuss the best interests of the child in the context of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The event brought together various stakeholders from 24 countries, as well as several international organisations and networks, both online and in person.

The United Kingdom has officially joined the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer Country. An Administrative Arrangement was signed on 19 June between the European Commission and the UK Home Office, formalising cooperation within the EMN framework. The agreement reinforces the exchange of objective and comparable information on migration and asylum and marks an important step in strengthening cooperation between the United Kingdom and the EMN.

A draft law introducing the possibility of home searches to enforce return decisions has begun its parliamentary examination in the House of Representatives. The measure would concern certain third-country nationals subject to an enforceable return decision who do not cooperate with their return and are considered to pose a risk to public order or national security. Discussed by the Committee on Home Affairs on 16 June 2026, the proposal will be subject to consultations with experts and stakeholders before the committee continues its examination.

Belgium has taken up its role as Co-Chair of the EMN Return Expert Group (REG), together with the European Commission. In this capacity, EMN Belgium hosted a plenary meeting of the REG on 16 June 2026 in Brussels.

According to figures published by Statbel on 10 June 2026, 69.017 persons acquired Belgian nationality in 2025. The most common previous nationalities among those who became Belgian were Moroccan, Romanian, Syrian, Polish and Italian. Compared to 2024, the number of acquisitions of Belgian nationality increased by almost 9.000.

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published its Asylum Report 2026, providing an overview of asylum-related developments across EU+ countries in 2025 and early 2026. The report examines key policy, legislative and operational changes in the field of asylum against a backdrop of ongoing conflicts and geopolitical developments. It also analyses how EU+ countries prepared for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

On 4 June 2026, EMN Belgium and EMN Sweden, together with the Swedish Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) and the Swedish Migration Studies Delegation (Delmi), organised the EU launch seminar “Linking Migration and Development Cooperation: European Experiences and Policy Reflections” at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU in Brussels.

On 26 May 2026, EMN Belgium gathered over 130 key stakeholders in the fields of asylum and migration. This event also marked the launch of the Belgian Asylum and Migration Overview 2025, which highlights the principal developments in asylum and migration in Belgium over the previous year. The diverse audience of experts engaged in reflection and discussion on recent trends in the field, as well as on strengthened cooperation within the Belgian asylum and migration system. The day also included breakout session on key topics, alongside informal networking to build connections and inspire new collaborations.

Belgium has adopted new rules governing the renewal of residence permits for third-country national students. The amendments introduce stricter requirements concerning study progress, maximum study duration, changes of study programme and enrolment in non-recognised higher education institutions. They were adopted by Royal Decree of 7 May 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 May 2026, and apply from the 2026/2027 academic year.

EMN Belgium participated in the EMN Cyprus High-Level Presidency Conference, “Taking stock of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: turning strategy into reality”, held in Nicosia on 19 and 20 May 2026.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft bill aimed at strengthening rules on labour migration and improving the framework for highly qualified non-EU workers. The proposal includes measures aimed at strengthening the fight against fraud linked to labour migration, while also seeking to make the European Blue Card more attractive for highly qualified workers from outside the European Union. The draft bill also provides for additional protection for workers who are victims of certain social law infringements committed by employers. The text will now be submitted to the Council of State for advice.