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:
On 14 October 2026, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives’ Committee on the Interior approved in second reading a bill amending the Law of 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, settlement and removal of foreign nationals. The bill aims to make Belgium more attractive to highly qualified workers from outside the EU while strengthening safeguards against abuse in labour migration. It also provides for enhanced protection for certain workers who are victims of serious social offences committed by their employers.
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Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: highly qualified employment, EU blue card, single permit, labour exploitation
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
Publication date:
Trade unions have filed a joint strike notice at Belgium’s closed centres, citing staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and increasing aggression towards staff. They are calling for better staffing levels, additional resources and improved working conditions. Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt has responded by highlighting measures already taken to address staffing and infrastructure needs.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: closed centre, Belgium, strike, staff shortage, infrastructure, psychological vulnerability
Publication date:
On the occasion of the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings on 18 October, PAG-ASA is organising the fifth edition of its Human Trafficking Awareness Week in Brussels. From 12 to 18 October, a series of activities will raise awareness of the different forms of human trafficking, its impact on victims and the Belgian protection framework. The programme includes a public awareness installation, a documentary screening, professional training sessions and a photographic exhibition.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration
Keywords: human trafficking awareness week
Publication date:
The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its fourth evaluation report on Belgium, covering the period from July 2022 to June 2026. The report examines vulnerabilities to trafficking, measures to prevent and detect them, and the identification, protection and assistance of victims. It also assesses investigations and prosecutions and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in trafficking. GRETA identifies a number of areas where further action is needed to strengthen Belgium’s response to human trafficking.
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Publication date:
More than 3.600 people took part in the Refugee Walk organised by Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen on 4 October 2026. Participants walked 20 or 40 kilometres from Brussels or followed a route of their choice. According to the organisation, the event had raised €750.000 by the day of the walk, exceeding its initial target of €500.000. The funds will support Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen’s activities for people seeking protection in Belgium.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: fundraising, applicant for international protection
Publication date:
The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on the examination of applications for international protection lodged by persons who already benefit from temporary protection. It found that EU law does not allow Member States to automatically suspend the examination of such applications for the entire duration of temporary protection. The applicable time limits for examining applications for international protection continue to apply, subject to possible extensions justified by objective reasons.
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Publication date:
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 1 October 2026, EU home affairs ministers discussed, among other topics, the overall state of the Schengen area, cooperation with priority non-EU countries on readmission, and measures to strengthen the EU’s migration situational awareness and early warning capabilities. The Council also adopted new rules on return for non-EU nationals who have no right to stay in the EU.
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Main theme: External Dimension, Borders & Visa, Return & Readmission
Keywords: return regulation, readmission, cooperation, migration situational awareness, early warning
Publication date:
The Samusocial emergency shelter at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Brussels closed on 30 September 2026, after eight months of operation. The closure results in the loss of 130 emergency accommodation places for single men, reducing the Samusocial's capacity for this group from 370 to 240 places.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: extreme cold plan, emergency shelter, single men
Publication date:
The European Commission has proposed a five-point plan to strengthen the resilience and security of the EU’s external borders and improve preparedness for sudden mass arrivals. The plan sets out actions for the Commission, Member States and EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies in five areas, covering cooperation with partner countries, border management, monitoring and early warning, action against migrant smuggling and trafficking, and returns.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration, Return & Readmission, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: external border, border security, border management, mass arrivals
Publication date:
Belgium begins the gradual introduction of a new model of the Registration Certificate (RC), also known as the “orange card”, on 28 September 2026. The new RC takes the form of a secure passport-type booklet and is being introduced alongside the existing orange card and temporary A4 model.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection, Family Migration
Keywords: residence document, Belgium, registration certificate, orange card, document security
Publication date:
Ministers from 18 EU and non-EU countries and representatives of the European Commission met in Munich on 26 September for the second Munich Migration Meeting, hosted by German Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt. The informal meeting focused on the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the protection of the EU’s external borders and returns.
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Publication date:
The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to Belgium and 19 other EU Member States for failing to communicate the complete transposition of the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive. The Commission sent the letters on 25 September 2026, after the deadline for Member States to transpose the Directive into national law had expired.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: Anti-Trafficking Directive, transposition, infringement
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
Publication date:
Fedasil has announced the deactivation of 560 accommodation places for unaccompanied minors (UAMs), following a decrease in the number of UAM arrivals in Belgium since 2023. The measure forms part of Fedasil’s policy of adjusting its reception capacity to changing needs.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception
Keywords: reception place, unaccompanied minors, buffer capacity
Publication date:
On 21 September 2026, Caritas International Belgium launched its "Humanity Is Unstoppable" campaign in Brussels. A large teddy bear appeared at several locations across the city, including Brussels-Central station, the Grand-Place, Flagey and Place Luxembourg, to draw attention to the experiences of people forced to flee, particularly children.
