Publication date: 30 June 2009
Who are the unaccompanied minors (UMAs) in Belgium? What motivates them to enter and stay in the country? What are the policies on reception, return and integration developed for UMAs in Belgium? This study addresses such questions and contains statistical information on the subject.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: age assessment, guardianship, unaccompanied minors
Publication date: 01 June 2009
This report – Belgian Policy Report on Asylum and Migration 2008 – 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: 31 March 2009
This study describes and analyzes the various aspects of the asylum and immigration policies in Belgium. It also examines lessons learned and future developments in this field.
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Publication date: 04 February 2008
This report – Belgian Policy Report on Asylum and Migration 2007 – 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: 23 January 2008
This report – Belgian Policy Report on Asylum and Migration 2006 – gives an overview of developments and changes that have taken place in Belgium in the field of asylum and migration in the reference year.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Publication Type: Annual Policy Reports
Keywords: migration policy
Publication date: 15 January 2008
This report - Belgian Policy Report on Asylum and Migration 2005 - 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: 01 September 2007
The main objective fixed to this report is to describe the statistical trends on international migration and asylum for the reference years 2004 and 2005 in Belgium.
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Publication date: 01 December 2006
What is the Belgian approach towards highly skilled workers from third countries? This study examines in detail the selection criteria, admission requirements, procedures for issuing work permits and the available data on the subject.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: highly skilled, labour demand, labour migration, work permit
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:
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.
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Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: Belgian nationality, access to nationality
Publication date:
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:
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.
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Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: asylum applications, asylum decisions, asylum trend
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
Publication date:
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:
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.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, highly skilled workers, EU blue card, single permit, fraud, infringement, exploitation
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:
The European Commission has updated its assessment of preparations for the Pact on Migration and Asylum ahead of its full application in June 2026. While most Member States have made progress in adapting legal and operational frameworks, significant gaps remain in key areas. These include border procedures, reception capacity, asylum processing, return systems and solidarity mechanisms. The Commission stresses that sustained efforts will be required beyond June to ensure full operational readiness.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation
Publication date:
The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on the compatibility of a national residence requirement with EU equal treatment rules. The Court examined whether a 10-year residence condition could be applied to beneficiaries of international protection in order to access a social benefit. It found that the measure constitutes indirect discrimination prohibited under EU law.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: beneficiary of subsidiary protection, social assistance, access to employment, equal treatment, discrimination
Publication date:
DUO for a JOB has launched a national awareness campaign highlighting the persistence of discrimination in recruitment processes in Belgium. The initiative uses the format of the well-known game “Guess Who?” to illustrate how candidates may still be excluded on the basis of appearance, name, origin or accent rather than skills. The campaign is being rolled out in May across public spaces, including stations and metro networks in several Belgian cities.
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Main theme: Integration
Keywords: labour market access, discrimination, recruitment
Publication date:
On 6 May, the United Nations Human Rights Council reviewed Belgium under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a peer-review mechanism assessing the human rights situation in all UN Member States. The review examined the implementation of previous recommendations and the current situation across a range of policy areas, including asylum, migration and detention.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Universal Periodic Review, Belgium, human rights
Publication date:
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.
