This Inform, updated on the basis of national contributions from 28 EMN Member and Observer Countries, provides an overview of recent developments and policy approaches in the field of statelessness, with a cut-off date of 31 October 2025. It forms part of the EMN Platform on Statelessness series, building on previous Informs published in 2016, 2020 and 2023.
21/05/2026
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.
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15/05/2026
This ad hoc query examines the ways in which EMN Member and Observer Countries calculate periods of absence in the context of applications for an EU Long-Term Residence Status, which requires 5 years of continuous residence. Additionally, this ad hoc query inquires about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in EMN Member and Observer Countries, or any future plans to do so.
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12/05/2026
This Inform examines how digital services in legal migration procedures are designed and implemented in EMN Member and Observer Countries to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It looks at how authorities have adapted applications, document submission, appointment booking, communication and information exchange, and case-tracking services in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of legal migration procedures. The analysis is based on contributions from 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries.
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10/04/2026
This ad hoc query examines the extent to which EMN Member and Observer Countries require medical certificates in the context of applications for temporary and permanent residence permits. More specifically, it inquires at what stage in the procedure the medical certificate is requested and what medical conditions are examined.
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04/03/2026
According to Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the minimum proof of sufficient means of subsistance for non-EU students wishing to study in Belgium has been increased. She said the measure aims to strengthen study migration as a gateway for international talent while preventing financial abuse and protecting students from precarious situations.
03/03/2026
According to the Latest Asylum Trends 2025 published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), EU+ countries received approximately 822.000 applications for international protection in 2025, representing a 19 % decrease compared to 2024. Despite the overall decline, demand for protection remained significant in some groups and countries.
03/03/2026
The Latest Asylum Trends 2025 provides an annual overview of asylum activity in EU+ countries, covering asylum applications (per capita), the main nationalities of applicants, the top receiving countries, recognition rates, pending cases and the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection following the war in Ukraine. It also reviews policy developments in the EU+ and provides a 2026 outlook, examining, inter alia, geopolitical uncertainty and latent displacement risks.
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27/02/2026
The Antwerp Family Court has annulled the decisions of local civil registry officials that sought to revoke the Belgian nationality of children born in Belgium to Palestinian parents. In five rulings issued on 27 February 2026, the court emphasised that depriving these children of nationality would be contrary to their best interests.
24/02/2026
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Belgium has granted more than 101.500 temporary protection certificates to people fleeing the conflict. Today, around 70.600 of these displaced Ukrainians remain in the country. While the temporary protection scheme has been extended until March 2027, uncertainty remains over what will happen afterwards, raising questions for both the authorities and Ukrainian beneficiaries.
19/02/2026
On 19 February 2026, EMN Belgium attended a Mutual Learning Seminar organised by ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles) within the framework of the INNOVATE project, supported by EU funding under the Horizon 2020 programme.Held in Brussels, the seminar brought together experts, civil society representatives and policymakers to assess the state of preparedness across EU Member States for transitioning out of temporary protection under the Temporary Protection Directive, currently extended until March 2027.
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29/01/2026
The documents set out key elements of the European Commission’s approach to managing international mobility to the EU. The EU Visa Strategy aims to strengthen the Union’s security and integrity through enhanced visa procedures, modernise the processing and management of visas, and support the EU’s economy and competitiveness by facilitating legitimate travel. Complementing this, the Recommendation on Attracting Talent for Innovation provides guidance to Member States on attracting, admitting, and retaining international students, researchers, highly skilled workers, and innovative entrepreneurs.
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19/01/2026
This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member Countries are developing or considering initiatives to maintain and strengthen the connections between beneficiaries of temporary protection displaced from Ukraine and their country of origin. It aims to map projects that support continued engagement with Ukraine, including information provision to enable informed decisions about possible return. The query also explores whether such initiatives contribute to future recovery and sustainable reintegration.
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18/01/2026
This ad hoc query provides an overview of which EMN Member and Observer Countries require criminal record certificates in order to issue long-stay visas or residence permits. Details are provided on the categories of third-country nationals exempted from this requirement, the countries from which these certificates are required (country of origin and/or of previous residence), the other types of documents that may be accepted in lieu of a certificate (such as an affidavit), and more.
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05/01/2026
This ad hoc query maps the status of recognition of Palestine as a sovereign State across EMN Member Countries and the resulting administrative practices regarding statelessness and citizenship for individuals originating from the Palestinian territories.
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25/11/2025
The EMN Hungary Conference will explore how EU temporary protection frameworks are evolving and how these changes are implemented in practice across Central Europe. It aims to connect high-level policy developments with on-the-ground realities for displaced persons and host communities. The conference will examine potential transitions from the EU temporary protection regime and highlight regional practices, challenges, and successful approaches.
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14/12/2025
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It examined compliance with relevant EU and international frameworks, as well as national legislation. It also explored additional accessibility measures, support for users with special needs, GDPR safeguards, user involvement in service design, and approaches to digital disadvantage, alongside challenges and good practices identified by countries.
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It examined compliance with relevant EU and international frameworks, as well as national legislation. It also explored additional accessibility measures, support for users with special needs, GDPR safeguards, user involvement in service design, and approaches to digital disadvantage, alongside challenges and good practices identified by countries.
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26/11/2025
On 26 November 2025, several civil society organisations, including Caritas International and Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, published a statement warning about rising refusals of temporary protection applications. Between January and October, 2.380 applications were rejected, compared with 1.578 in 2022. The organisations highlighted difficulties in accessing accommodation and support for displaced persons affected. Authorities attribute the increase to changes in European rules and stricter administrative requirements.
14/11/2025
This ad hoc query maps the legislation and current practices in EMN Member and Observer Countries regarding the issuance of authorisations to stay for study purposes granted to minors. This mapping includes eligibility criteria, procedural requirements, and information on who assumes responsibility for the minor during their stay in the receiving country.
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10/11/2025
This ad hoc query examines whether national procedures allow or require immigration officers to request missing or additional information from applicants for legal migration after an initially incomplete application, and, if so, under what circumstances, to what extent, and within which deadlines.
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07/11/2025
This ad hoc query examines the approaches taken by EMN Member Countries regarding potential changes to support measures for beneficiaries of temporary protection (BoTPs) with respect to accommodation and social welfare. It examines whether changes were applied retroactively and whether different levels of support persist across groups. The query investigates the existence of differentiated support for vulnerable BoTPs and how vulnerability is defined and assessed.
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06/11/2025
This Inform provides an overview of national policy and legal changes from July 2023 to early 2025 concerning the responsibilities and access to rights of beneficiaries of temporary protection (BoTP) under Directive 2001/55/EC. It maps these changes, provides evidence for decisions on possible financial contributions from BoTP, and offers insights into national strategies after the expiration of temporary protection.
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17/07/2025
On 27 October 2025 in Luxembourg, stakeholders will gather to discuss how the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum addresses statelessness as a vulnerability. The meeting will focus on early experiences with implementing the new obligations under the Screening and Asylum Procedures Regulations. Organised under the EMN Platform on Statelessness, it will provide space for exchange among national experts, EU agencies, and international organisations.
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23/10/2025
This ad hoc query maps the issuance of travel documents for individuals recognised as stateless across EMN Member and Observer Countries. Information is provided on the type and validity of such documents, as well as on whether recognition as stateless automatically leads to the issuance of a residence permit.
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19/09/2025
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a thematic report on economic migration, free movement and students as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication explains trends in labour migration and study-related mobility. It shows that labour migration from outside the EU has slightly decreased, the share of third-country nationals among temporary postings has continued to grow, and student numbers are increasing.