Publication date: 04 June 2026
This Inform, covering developments across 22 EMN Member Countries, as well as Norway and Serbia, explores the use of alternatives to providing in-kind housing for applicants for international protection between January 2020 and October 2025. It examines how such measures were implemented while respecting legal obligations and supporting applicants’ autonomy, addressing their vulnerability, and promoting their integration into society. The Inform focuses on financial allowances and vouchers as alternatives to accommodation provided directly by the state and highlights national approaches and innovative solutions identified across participating countries.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: applicant for international protection, reception condition, financial allowance, voucher, reception directive
Publication date: 10 April 2026
This ad hoc query examines whether EMN Member Countries plan to change their age assessment procedures in light of Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 on multidisciplinary age assessments. It explores which authorities or external providers are involved in the procedure, and how multidisciplinary teams carry out the assessment in practice. The query also covers how applicants are interviewed and how conclusions are drawn and communicated.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, minor, age assessment, multidisciplinary approach
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: 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: 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.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, International Protection
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: labour market integration, vocational education, vocational training, applicant for international protection, beneficiary of international protection
Publication date: 15 November 2025
This ad hoc query examines whether countries have implemented alternatives to provide housing in kind (for instance, financial support) for applicants for international protection between 2020 and 2025, and if so, under which circumstances and for which target group. The query further explores the implementation of such alternatives, such as the systems put in place to ensure the mandatory provision of services (e.g., legal support, healthcare), and the specific measures to support vulnerable groups. Finally, the query examines whether these alternatives were evaluated through an established evaluation system, and if so, what the key results of these evaluations were.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, reception condition, financial allowance, voucher, reception directive
Publication date: 11 October 2025
This ad hoc query examines where applicants for international protection (and beneficiaries of temporary protection) with special needs are accommodated. When accommodated in regular reception centres, the query explores the services provided in-house and the professionals employed in this regard. When applicants are accommodated in specialised facilities, the placement procedure is examined, including which stakeholders are involved and their respective roles and responsibilities. It also covers how these financial costs are borne.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, beneficiary of temporary protection, special needs, physical health, mental health
Publication date: 26 September 2025
This Inform examines how international protection applicants and accommodation centres are distributed across 23 EMN Member Countries and Serbia, and how such policies are governed and managed. It compares approaches, criteria and mechanisms used by different countries, highlighting both challenges and good practices. The study also looks at how local communities and stakeholders are informed and engaged in the process. Finally, it identifies opportunities for further collaboration to support effective reception and integration.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, Reception
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: distribution, applicant for international protection, reception centre, local community, communication, funding, municipality
Publication date: 10 April 2025
This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how Member and Observer Countries organise vocational education and training (VET) for applicants and beneficiaries of international protection. It covers programme structures, admission conditions, support measures, incentives, obligations, and the recognition of prior skills, as well as good practices and key challenges in delivering VET.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: labour market integration, vocational education, vocational training, applicant for international protection, beneficiary of international protection
Publication date: 06 March 2025
This ad hoc query investigates how healthcare services for applicants for international protection are organised in EMN Member and Observer Countries. It examines which authorities are responsible for providing such services, who covers the costs, and what types of services adult applicants are entitled to. It also explores how applicants access medical treatment, whether reception centres have healthcare personnel on staff, and how healthcare services are managed during a mass influx of migrants.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, access to healthcare
Publication date: 03 January 2025
This ad hoc query looks into the time limit within which an administrative authority may detain, without judicial review, an applicant for international protection or an irregularly staying third-country national who is subject to return.
Read more
Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: detention, judicial review, applicant for international protection, irregularly staying third-country national
Publication date: 01 November 2024
This inform provides insights into the governance and processes of accommodation for applicants for international protection in EMN Member and Observer Countries. This governance of accommodation is crucial for responding to challenges, such as fluctuating asylum applications, limited housing capacity, and community relations.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: reception centre, reception facility, accommodation, applicant for international protection
Publication date: 16 September 2024
In collaboration with the Red Cross EU Office and the Swedish Red Cross, this Inform provides an overview of EMN Member and Observer Countries’ guidance and training on early detection and identification of presumed victims of torture or other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in international protection procedures. It outlines procedural safeguards and guidance for asylum authorities when requesting medico-legal documentation in international protection applications, and it also details practices for identifying victims among beneficiaries of temporary protection to provide medical care, in line with the Temporary Protection Directive.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection, Temporary protection
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: victim, torture, ill-treatment, applicant for international protection, beneficiary of temporary protection, Training, medico-legal documentation, mental health, credibility assessment
Publication date: 19 August 2024
This ad hoc query deals with legislation and practices regarding the search of asylum seekers' mobile phones and other devices. It updates the 2017 ad hoc query on mobile devices and the 2023 GDISC query on reading mobile data.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: privacy, GDPR, asylum
Publication date: 03 May 2024
This ad hoc query seeks to better understand EMN Member and Observer Countries’ approaches to financial contributions in the context of reception for international protection applicants.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, reception centre, financial contribution
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Through this ad hoc query, the Slovak Republic collects information on EMN Member and Observer countries' experiences in recording data on the vulnerability of applicants for international protection and generating statistical reports related to vulnerability.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, International Protection
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, vulnerability, data collection
Publication date: 28 February 2024
In its analysis of the Latest Asylum Trends for 2023, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reports on the applications received in EU+ countries (i.e. the 27 European Union Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland) and the key nationalities that applied for international protection. The analysis also addresses new trends in pending cases as well as recognition rates across EU+ countries.
Read more
Main theme: Asylum
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum applications, EUAA, applicant for international protection, refugee crisis, Ukraine, temporary protection
Publication date: 26 February 2024
This EMN Inform sheds light on the challenges faced by beneficiaries and applicants for international protection in EMN Member Countries and Serbia as they strive to access autonomous housing. It also provides an overview of the different approaches and strategies employed by these countries to support their access to autonomous housing.
Read more
Main theme: Integration
Publication Type: Informs
Keywords: housing, social housing, financial assistance, applicant for international protection, beneficiary of international protection, housing shortage, discrimination
Publication date: 03 September 2018
22 (Member) States provided information regarding their definition of the concept of vulnerability and their practices regarding the identification and the care of vulnerable applicants for international protection with special reception needs.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception
Publication Type: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: applicant for international protection, special needs
Publication date:
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.
Read more
Main theme: Integration
Keywords: applicant for international protection, early integration, employment, language learning, cultural orientation
Publication date:
The Belgian Council of State has suspended the decision of the Minister of Asylum and Migration to limit material reception conditions for applicants for international protection who have already obtained protection in another EU Member State. In its judgment No. 267.364 of 8 July 2026, the Council of State suspended the measure following an urgent appeal introduced by several organisations active in the field of asylum and migration. The decision concerns a measure adopted following the entry into application of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026.
Read more
Main theme: Reception
Keywords: applicant for international protection, material reception condition, limitation, Council of State, suspension
Publication date:
The Minister of Asylum and Migration, the Belgian Immigration Office and the municipality of Nazareth-De Pinte have announced the opening of a new European Return Centre in Nazareth-De Pinte in autumn 2026. The centre will have a capacity of 300 places and will accommodate applicants for international protection for whom another EU Member State may be responsible for examining their application. The facility will complement the existing Centre in Zaventem and aims to support procedures related to transfers to the responsible Member State.
Read more
Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: applicant for international protection, Dublin Regulation, Dublin transfer, return centre
Publication date:
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has clarified that detention centres holding applicants for international protection under the border procedure do not need to be located at the external border of a Member State. It also confirmed that continued detention after the expiry of the border procedure time limit may be permissible under certain conditions. The judgment further addresses the validity of procedural steps taken during the border procedure and reiterates key safeguards under EU law.
Read more
Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: border procedure, detention, detention center, applicant for international protection, risk of absconding
Publication date:
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.
Read more
Main theme: Vulnerable groups, Reception
Keywords: child, applicant for international protection, reception centre, minimum standards
Publication date:
The Fedasil Info Point in Brussels has been supporting asylum seekers and other migrants for two years, providing accessible and centralised information in one location. Since reopening on 27 September 2023 at the former Bordet Hospital site, it has welcomed over 22.000 visitors, mostly single men with ongoing asylum procedures. Visitors most frequently ask about accommodation, medical care, legal support, and other practical matters. Partners such as Caritas International and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) assist in providing guidance and support.
