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.

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.

EMN Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Ombudsman for Children and Youngsters (OKaJu) are bringing together EU ombudsmen for children and youth, as well as child welfare agencies, to discuss the best interests of the child in the context of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The meeting offers a timely opportunity to take stock of early experiences and emerging practices. It places a particular focus on ensuring that fundamental rights obligations, especially those relating to children, are upheld in national systems.

The Belgian Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announces a series of changes that will apply from 12 June 2026. These changes are part of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in 2024. They will affect asylum procedures, operational practices and new institutional responsibilities.

In 2025, minors accounted for 23.7% of all first-time asylum applicants in the European Union, according to recent Eurostat data. A total of 158.400 children applied for asylum for the first time, including a significant proportion of unaccompanied minors. While the overall number of minor applicants declined compared to previous years, children continue to represent a substantial share of asylum seekers in the EU.

The Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) has made the use of its child-friendly courtroom (“Salle M”) a structural arrangement as of March 2026. The measure applies to asylum appeal cases involving unaccompanied minors and is accompanied by adapted summonses, age-appropriate information materials, and strengthened judicial training on children’s rights. The initiative builds on a pilot phase and forms part of broader European efforts to enhance child-friendly justice.

Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt is carrying out a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The visit takes place in the context of a marked increase in asylum applications from Congolese nationals in Belgium in recent years. The mission aims to discourage unfounded asylum applications, address the misuse of visa procedures, counter document fraud and misleading messages from smugglers, and strengthen cooperation on return and the fight against irregular migration. 

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at bringing Belgian legislation on the guardianship of unaccompanied minors into line with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and introducing additional safeguards for minors. The text has been submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.

On 31 March 2026, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announced that it would temporarily suspend the notification of certain decisions in cases concerning applicants from Lebanon, in view of the current situation in the country.

The Klarafestival 2026 in Brussels brings together audiences, musicians, and participants from diverse backgrounds around the theme “Where is Home?”. The festival combines classical music concerts with additional activities such as conferences and discussions. It also engages in social initiatives, giving young talents a platform and reaching communities that do not usually experience live classical music. In 2026, particular attention is given to refugees, highlighting the importance of having a safe home and a sense of belonging.

The Netherlands has decided to resume Dublin transfers of single, non-vulnerable male asylum seekers to Belgium, following a period in which such transfers were suspended after a Dutch court ruling. In April 2025, the District Court of The Hague, sitting in Groningen, found that single male asylum seekers risked being deprived of adequate reception conditions in Belgium, which could expose them to inhumane or degrading treatment. The ruling led to a halt in transfers under the EU Dublin system.

The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) has announced that it will resume processing cases from applicants originating from the West Bank who are not registered with UNRWA. The decision follows a temporary suspension in March 2025 due to the unstable situation in the region. The CGRS now has sufficient up-to-date and objective information to assess the need for international protection.

Myria has released its first comprehensive mapping of quantitative data on minor victims of human trafficking and aggravated forms of smuggling in Belgium. The report aims to provide a clearer statistical basis for understanding the situation of minors at risk, while also highlighting structural gaps in current data collection and sharing practices.

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.

The medical office run by Médecins du Monde within the Humanitarian Hub in Brussels will cease its activities on 31 March 2026. The closure follows the recent shutdown of the Athena Medical Centre. According to the organisation, this will further reduce access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups in the capital. Médecins du Monde has warned of likely consequences for emergency services and for people with limited access to care.

The European Parliament has approved new EU asylum rules to enable faster processing of asylum requests. The reform establishes a common list of safe countries of origin while allowing Member States to maintain or designate additional safe countries at national level. It also clarifies the conditions under which Member States can apply the safe third country concept. While the legislation has now passed Parliament, it still needs to be formally adopted by the Council before entering into force.