The Council of the European Union has agreed its position on two key proposals to strengthen the use of safe country concepts in EU asylum rules. One addresses the safe third country concept, and the other establishes the first EU‑wide list of safe countries of origin. They aim to accelerate asylum procedures and improve the management of applications from those unlikely to require protection. Negotiations with the European Parliament, which has also endorsed the list, will follow to agree on the final texts.

The TRAQ study day will take a close look at the status of victims of smuggling in human beings under aggravating circumstances in Belgium. Introduced in 2006, this residence status for victims who cooperate with authorities has seen limited use and has never been thoroughly analysed. Within the framework of « TRAQ » (Trafic Analyses Qualitatives), Myria and the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (INCC) conducted a study on its implementation. The findings will be shared to stimulate discussion and reflection among experts and stakeholders.

On 3 December, CIRÉ launched a campaign to inform the public about a draft law that would permit police, under judicial authorisation, to carry out home searches in specific cases involving foreign nationals subject to enforceable return decisions. The organisation highlights potential concerns regarding privacy and constitutional rights. Several Brussels municipalities have already expressed opposition to the measure. The campaign aims to encourage parliamentary scrutiny and public debate on the proposal.

During a session of the Chamber of Representatives’ Interior Committee on 2 December 2025, Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt outlined the government’s decision regarding the list of safe countries of origin. She specified which countries are included in the 2025 list and explained that Morocco was added due to improvements in its human rights situation and the low recognition rate for asylum applications from Moroccan nationals. 

On 1 December 2025, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the revision of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). The updated framework introduces, for the first time, a link between trade benefits and the cooperation of developing countries on migration and readmission of their nationals. The legislation is expected to apply from 1 January 2027.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a new thematic report on the right to family life as part of its annual report "Migration in Figures and Rights 2025". The report provides updated data on first residence permits and visas for family reasons. It also examines recent legislative reforms, which Myria stresses will need close monitoring due to their potential impact on access to family reunification, integration outcomes, and the risk of poverty.

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.

On 26 November 2025, several civil society organisations, including Caritas International and Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, published a statement warning about rising refusals of temporary protection applications. Between January and October, 2.380 applications were rejected, compared with 1.578 in 2022. The organisations highlighted difficulties in accessing accommodation and support for displaced persons affected. Authorities attribute the increase to changes in European rules and stricter administrative requirements.

The Federal Ombudsman has highlighted persistent challenges for individuals required to submit visa applications in person at Belgian diplomatic or consular posts. These requirements can create significant financial, administrative, and security burdens, particularly for applicants living far from a competent post or in conflict-affected regions. The Ombudsman recommends reviewing visa submission procedures to improve accessibility and consistency.

On 20 November 2025, EMN Belgium attended the launch of the annual report "Rechten op de drempel" by the Flemish Children’s Rights Commissioner, on the occasion of International Children’s Rights Day. The report highlights persistent challenges affecting foreign children and young people in reception centres, including disparities in living conditions, safety, hygiene, and access to basic needs.

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.859 persons obtained Belgian nationality in August 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in August are Morocco, Syria, Romania, Poland and France.

During this event, key challenges associated with the European return system will be examined, including divergences in Member States’ practices and obstacles to forced return. The conference will then focus on ongoing legislative developments and their implications for migration management and the Schengen area. Participants will discuss the role of a common and effective return system in supporting cooperation and migration management under the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The EMN Finland Conference 2025 will examine the changed operating environment of immigrant integration in Finland, as well as the challenges and opportunities it presents. The conference will have a special focus on early-stage integration services and their impact on immigrant integration and employment.

On 18 November, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the creation of a platform designed to facilitate the recruitment of non-European workers. The “EU Talent Pool” will connect employers established in the EU with non-EU jobseekers in sectors where Member States face labour shortages. Participation in the Talent Pool will be voluntary for Member States, and the platform will remain free of charge for both jobseekers and employers.

On 17 November 2025, the City of Brussels adopted a motion for a welcoming, responsible and caring city, opposing the draft law allowing judicially authorised home searches for irregularly staying migrants. The motion emphasises that security and human dignity are inextricably linked and states that Brussels must remain a welcoming, responsible and just city, faithful to its constitutional and European obligations.

On 13 November 2025, several civil society organisations held a silent protest outside the Palais de Justice in Brussels to draw attention to the shortage of reception places for third-country nationals. Participants, including advocates, volunteers, and citizens, brought sleeping bags to symbolise people forced to sleep outdoors. The demonstration called for urgent measures to ensure that all individuals entitled to accommodation can access it.

Belgium has laid the first stone of a new short-stay departure centre in Steenokkerzeel, aimed at housing individuals in irregular stay pending return. The 50-place facility is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. It forms part of a broader plan to expand and improve the country’s closed centres.

The EMN Steering Board has voted on the topics to be analysed in studies and informs in 2026. In total, two studies and eight Informs will be developed next year. A Belgian proposal entitled "Enhancing Identity Management and Fraud Prevention in Migration Processes" was ranked first following the vote.

The European Commission has launched the first Annual Migration Management Cycle under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The cycle provides an annual overview of migration and asylum in the EU and identifies pressures on Member States. It includes the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report, a Commission decision on Member States’ migratory situations, and a proposal for the Annual Solidarity Pool. 

From 3 to 7 November 2025, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) conducted an evaluation visit to Belgium under the fourth cycle of its monitoring of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The evaluation focuses on vulnerabilities to trafficking, the measures taken to prevent and detect them, support victims, and sanction perpetrators, with particular attention to the role of information and communication technologies.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft law providing for the possibility of imposing lifetime entry bans on individuals who pose a genuine security threat, based on an assessment by the Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM). The measure is intended to implement a commitment set out in the government agreement and envisage amendments to several provisions of the Aliens Act of 15 December 1980. The draft law will now be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.

On 4 November 2025, two EMN Belgium colleagues met with the General Delegates for Children’s Rights, Caroline Vrijens (Flanders) and Souleymane Laqdim (French Community), accompanied by two of Ms Vrijens’ team members. The meeting was highly cordial and provided an opportunity for open discussion and in-depth dialogue on shared concerns and potential avenues for cooperation. Key topics included the challenges faced by migrant children in Belgium.

The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) is resuming the processing of applications for international protection from Syrian nationals from 1 November 2025. The suspension, in place since 9 December 2024, was implemented to gather sufficient information on the security situation in Syria.

On 31 October 2025, the European Migration Network (EMN) released its latest Inform highlighting how 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries are addressing access to education for migrant children. The report shows that nearly all participating countries have adopted national measures to support linguistic, social, and emotional integration in schools. Despite persistent barriers, such as language difficulties and unequal learning outcomes, good practices are emerging across Europe, according to this Inform.

The EMN Slovakia Conference will focus on how Slovakia can develop effective international partnerships to address labour shortages through fair and sustainable migration. The event will bring together policymakers, experts, employers, and migrant organisations from both EU and non-EU countries to share good practices in managing bilateral labour mobility. Key themes include protecting migrant workers, improving coordination, and ensuring that labour migration benefits all parties involved.