Publication date: 30 June 2006
This study examines the migration of students and professionals in the health sector in Belgium. It addresses various issues relating to qualifications and attractiveness of the education system and limitations to the migration of health professionals from third countries.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: education, employment, labour shortages
Publication date: 01 November 2005
What are the rights of third country nationals residing illegally in Belgium, including access to medical care, housing and social security? How numerous are they and which difficulties are theirs? This study responds to these questions and also examines measures taken to address such issues.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: informal economy, irregular resident, rights, stocks
Publication date: 31 May 2005
How did the reception system for asylum seekers develop in Belgium? What are its missions and responsibilities, its strengths and weaknesses? This study explores these questions and also looks in particular at the situation of applicants, including minors.
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Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: accomodation, benefits, financial aid, health care, social assistance
Publication date: 04 January 2005
This report – Belgian Policy Report on Asylum and Migration 2004 – gives an overview of developments and changes that have taken place in Belgium in the field of migration and asylum in the reference year.
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Main theme: Asylum, Migration, Cross-sectional
Publication Type: Annual Policy Reports
Keywords: migration policy
Publication date:
This national conference will examine the role of civic and language training in supporting the inclusion of third-country nationals in Italy. It will discuss policy and institutional frameworks, experiences from the 2023–2026 programming cycle and practices developed at regional and local level, while also exploring approaches from other EU Member States.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: civic training, language learning, inclusion, third-country nationals
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This year’s EMN Austria Conference will explore the future of the Schengen Area, bringing together representatives from EU institutions, Member States and international organisations to discuss key developments and challenges affecting Schengen cooperation. The conference will examine Schengen governance within the European migration architecture, the role of technologically advanced external border protection and the importance of the external dimension of Schengen.
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Main theme: External Dimension, Borders & Visa
Keywords: Schengen, Schengen area, border management
Publication date:
On 23–24 September 2026, Belgium hosted the 8th Workshop of Representatives of Detention Centres in Brussels, bringing together 42 participants from 18 countries, alongside two representatives of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). Organised jointly by the Belgian Immigration Office, EMN Belgium, EMN Luxembourg and the Detention Centre of the Luxembourg Ministry of Home Affairs, the workshop provided an informal setting for representatives to exchange experience, discuss common challenges and explore opportunities for further cooperation.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: detention facility, closed centre, Training, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, alternative to detention
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This national conference will examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding the integration and participation of young migrants and young people with a migrant background in an increasingly diverse Europe. It will explore the role of education, sport, culture and the digital environment in fostering social inclusion, while addressing barriers such as racism and discrimination.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: young migrants, inclusion, participation, discrimination
Publication date:
This high-level conference will explore new approaches to managing labour immigration in response to a changing labour and skills landscape in Europe. Bringing together policymakers, experts, social partners and other stakeholders from the EU and beyond, the event will examine how labour mobility can help address skills and labour shortages, support competitiveness and benefit both local labour markets and migrant workers.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, labour mobility, skills shortage, talent mobility
Publication date:
This multistakeholder meeting will mark the 10th anniversary of the EMN Platform on Statelessness, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, international organisations, researchers and civil society representatives to reflect on a decade of cooperation and knowledge exchange on statelessness in Europe. The event will also present the latest EMN Inform on statelessness and provide an opportunity to discuss evolving challenges, future priorities and the way forward for cooperation.
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Main theme: Statelessness
Keywords: EMN Platform on Statelessness, information exchange, stateless persons
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This expert meeting will explore European experiences in fostering accessibility and inclusion in digital migration procedures, with a particular focus on applicants with disabilities and those facing digital barriers. Drawing on the findings of a recent EMN Inform, the event will bring together policymakers, accessibility experts and practitioners to discuss national approaches, implementation challenges and good practices across EMN Member and Observer Countries.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Family Migration, Student Migration, Citizenship & Nationality, Borders & Visa
Keywords: legal migration, digitalisation, accessibility, inclusion
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On 20 July 2026, the European Migration Network (EMN) launched the European Asylum and Migration Overview 2025 during an online launch event. The annual publication provides an overview of the main asylum and migration developments across 30 EMN Member and Observer Countries. Based on national contributions from these countries, the publication presents a synthesis of key policy, legislative and operational developments in asylum and migration across Europe in 2025. It is accompanied by a Statistical Annex containing relevant European and national data.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: EMN, Asylum and Migration Overview, launch
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This conference will explore European and Dutch experiences in supporting the early integration of applicants for international protection, with a particular focus on employment, language learning and cultural orientation. Drawing on the findings of a new EMN Inform, the event will bring together policymakers, experts and practitioners to discuss different national approaches, implementation challenges and good practices across Europe.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: applicant for international protection, early integration, employment, language learning, cultural orientation
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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.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, best interests of the child, fundamental right
Publication date:
During this launch event, participants will gain a better understanding of key developments in migration and asylum across EMN Member and Observer Countries in 2025. Based on the findings of the EMN Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO) 2025, the event will present the main trends and policy developments identified at both EU and national levels.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Asylum and Migration Overview, asylum trend, migration trend, annual report
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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.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant child, best interests of the child, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation
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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.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: European Migration Network, observer country, United Kingdom
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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.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: EMN, REG, return expert group
Publication date:
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.
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Publication date:
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.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: annual EMN policy event
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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.
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Publication date:
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".
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Main theme: External Dimension
Keywords: migration and development, migration-development nexus
Publication date:
As 2025 comes to a close, the EMN Belgium team warmly thanks you for your continued interest in and engagement with the work of the European Migration Network. Your active participation has been essential in supporting exchanges and fostering a shared understanding of key developments and challenges in asylum and migration.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: holiday season greetings, EMN Belgium, New Year wishes
Publication date:
On 15 and 16 December 2025, EMN Belgium organised a conference in Brussels bringing together stakeholders from Belgium, EMN Member and Observer Countries, as well as European and international organisations. The event provided a forum to examine reception and support for applicants for international protection other than in-kind from legal, policy, and operational perspectives, exploring how these forms of support are organised, implemented, and linked to broader reception systems.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: material reception condition, reception modality, housing, community-based approach, cash-based approach, financial allowance
Publication date:
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.
