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.

Belgium has contributed to Operation Global Chain 2026, a large-scale international law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking networks. Coordinated across 59 countries, the operation took place from 8 to 12 June 2026 and focused on trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging, with a particular focus on underage victims. In Belgium, a police operation in Charleroi and Verviers led to the dismantling of a trafficking network and the identification of 22 minor victims.

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.

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 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.

EMN Belgium and EMN Sweden, together with the Swedish Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) and the Swedish Migration Studies Delegation (Delmi), are organising the EU launch seminar of the anthology "Linking Migration and Development: European Experiences and Policy Lessons for Sweden".