Publication date: 20 March 2026
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on national approaches to early integration measures for applicants for international protection during the reception phase. It examined the types of measures in place, the authorities involved, funding arrangements, delivery methods and links with mainstream integration programmes. It also explored targeted support for specific groups, communication and evaluation mechanisms, as well as good practices, key implementation challenges and planned policy developments.
Read more
Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, early integration
Publication date: 19 March 2026
This ad hoc query inquires about the differences in access to social assistance benefits for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection in EMN Member Countries. Additionally, it looks at the reasons given for these differences in access to social assistance benefits and considers whether there are any plans or proposals to introduce further distinctions in access for these groups in the near future.
Read more
Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: beneficiary of international protection, beneficiary of temporary protection, social assistance, social assistance benefit, social welfare system
Publication date: 18 March 2026
This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member and Observer Countries have age assessment procedures in place, how these procedures are conducted, and which actors are responsible. It also explores the challenges encountered and how they are addressed. Finally, it examines whether the respondent countries plan to introduce a new procedure or amend an existing one in the near future.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection, Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: minor, age assessment, medical examination, multidisciplinary approach
Publication date: 12 March 2026
This joint EMN-OECD study examines the issue of skills matching among migrants in EMN Member and Observer Countries. It answers two primary research questions: How and why are different groups of migrants affected by skills mismatch? How do policies in EMN Member Countries respond to this? The study aims to build knowledge on effective policy actions to promote skills matching and address skills mismatch among third-country nationals in EMN Member Countries.
Read more
Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: labour market integration, third country national, migrants' skills, matching, mismatch, qualification, language requirement, skills recognition, gender
Publication date: 11 March 2026
This ad hoc query explores whether national legislation provides for a formal decision extending the transfer deadline that is distinct from the transfer decision, and whether such a decision may be appealed. It also maps existing legal provisions on absconding in connection with the extension of transfer deadlines and gathers information on national practices when an applicant absconds and subsequently reappears.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: Dublin Regulation, Dublin transfer, time limit, absconding
Publication date: 04 March 2026
The report compiles available figures for the period 2015–2024 and examines how data are recorded, shared and used. It provides a clearer statistical basis for understanding the situation of minors at risk of trafficking and aggravated forms of smuggling, while identifying structural gaps in current data systems.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Data & Statistics, Smuggling & Trafficking
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: victim of trafficking, victim of smuggling, minor, data collection, figures
Publication date: 27 February 2026
This ad hoc query shines light on the practices applicable in EMN Member Countries regarding applications for family reunification by third-country nationals and their family members who enjoy visa-free travel for short-stays in the EU, in the context of the implementation of the Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC).
Read more
Main theme: Family Migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: application for family reunification, sponsor, residence permit, visa-free travel
Publication date: 21 February 2026
This ad hoc query examines whether accommodation centres are included in spatial planning regulations in EMN Member and Observer Countries, and whether exceptions apply during periods of significant increases in asylum applications. It also looks at possible exceptions to zoning rules, environmental impact assessments, and the duration of construction and operative permits. Finally, it explores whether countries have formal guidance or standards for establishing such centres, including aspects like room sizes or site location.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: reception centre, applicant for international protection, urban planning, zoning rules, environmental impact, building standards
Publication date: 10 February 2026
This EMNews, the quarterly newsletter of the European Migration Network (EMN), offers an overview of EU and national developments in asylum and migration policy, as well as key statistics and related EMN publications for the period of October-December 2025.
Read more
Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: EMNews
Keywords: EMNews, Newsletter, EMN
Publication date: 27 January 2026
This EMN Inform provides an overview of the border procedures currently applied by EMN Member Countries under the Asylum Procedures Directive. It mainly examines the types of procedures, authorities involved, processing times, types of decisions taken, and safeguards for applicants with special needs. The Inform highlights differences in national practices and presents them as they exist prior to the implementation of the mandatory Asylum Border Procedure under the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: asylum procedure, application for international protection, border, transit zone, security, detention, vulnerable persons
Publication date: 24 January 2026
This ad hoc query inquires about experiences and practices across EMN Member and Observer Countries when confronted to cases of children born on their territory to an Iraqi mother, and maps provisions in place to prevent these children being born stateless if Iraqi citizenship cannot be passed.
Read more
Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: nationality, acquisition of citizenship, Iraq, child
Publication date: 19 January 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.
Read more
Main theme: Temporary protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: beneficiary of temporary protection, connection, Ukraine, reintegration
Publication date: 18 January 2026
This ad hoc query maps existing legislation and practices across EMN Member and Observer Countries with regard to the determination of the nationality of third-country nationals, including documentation required. Questions are also asked on the registration of nationalities of children born on their territory to third-country national parents.
Read more
Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: nationality, determination, foreign national, documentary proof
Publication date: 18 January 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.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration, Family Migration, Student Migration, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: visa, residence permit, application, criminal record certificate, security
Publication date: 15 January 2026
The Country Factsheet provides a brief summary of the main developments in all areas related to migration and international protection in Belgium in 2024. A statistical annex complements this Factsheet, providing an overview of the latest available statistics for Belgium on these matters.
Read more
Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: Annual Policy Reports
Keywords: country facthseet, statistical annex, EMN Belgium
Publication date: 05 January 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.
Read more
Main theme: Statelessness, Citizenship & Nationality
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: Palestine, State, statehood, recognition, citizenship, stateless persons
Publication date: 21 December 2025
This ad hoc query maps EMN Member Countries’ intended waiting periods for access to the labour market following the implementation of the recast Reception Conditions Directive. It aims to provide a comparative overview of planned national approaches under the EU Asylum and Migration Pact.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, labour market access, waiting period
Publication date: 20 December 2025
This ad hoc query maps existing policies across EMN Member and Observer Countries regarding the issuance of temporary residence permits for third-country nationals who must rely on their own financial means from abroad, with no right to any economic activity in the country of residence.
Read more
Main theme: Migration
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: temporary residence permit, visitor
Publication date: 14 December 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.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration, Family Migration, Student Migration, Citizenship & Nationality, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: legal migration, digitalisation, accessibility, inclusion
Publication date: 14 December 2025
This ad hoc query examines whether national procedures allow asylum applicants to respond to an intended negative first-instance decision before it is officially finalised, and whether there are administrative mechanisms to object to a first-instance decision before filing a judicial appeal.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: application for international protection, first-instance decision, preliminary decision, pre-notification
Publication date: 14 December 2025
Carriers transporting third-country nationals by air, sea, or land to the Schengen area are required to take all necessary measures to ensure that these individuals hold the travel documents needed for entry into the Schengen States. The European Commission has launched three ad hoc queries, each focusing on a specific aspect of carriers’ liability: the framework of sanctions and penalties; responsibility for costs; and cooperation with carriers and control/supervision.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: Schengen Agreement, carriers' liability, sanction, penalty, responsibility, supervision, compliance
Publication date: 14 December 2025
This ad hoc query maps the use of both language tests and citizenship tests in the requirements to obtain citizenship across EMN Member and Observer Countries. Information is provided on the language levels, topics tested, and institutions responsible for examining applications, with a particular focus on the testing of adherence to the country’s fundamental values.
Read more
Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: access to citizenship, access to nationality, language test, citizenship test, fundamental values
Publication date: 08 December 2025
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre and independent national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings, published its independent and public annual report “Victims: Seeing Them and Listening to Them” on 8 December 2025. The report draws attention to the psychological vulnerabilities of victims of human trafficking and calls, inter alia, for strengthened training and specialisation of professionals on the specific psychological vulnerabilities and needs of these victims.
Read more
Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: victim of trafficking, victim of smuggling, psychological vulnerability
Publication date: 02 December 2025
This joint EMN-OECD study provides a comprehensive overview of labour migration laws, policies, initiatives, and practices targeting third-country nationals in EMN Member Countries and Serbia between January 2021 and June 2024. It examines how labour migration is used to address current and future workforce shortages, covering key countries of origin and crucial labour sectors. The study highlights the challenges faced and the practices considered by countries with regard to labour migration.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: labour migration, labour shortages, foreign workers, talent attraction, talent partnership
Publication date: 28 November 2025
This EMN Inform provides an overview of how EMN Member and Observer Countries ensure access to vocational education and training (VET) for beneficiaries of international protection and applicants for international protection. It examines existing procedures, the incentive mechanisms used to encourage enrolment, and the main challenges and good practices identified across countries.
