The European Migration Network (EMN) has published its Asylum and Migration Overview 2024, with contributions from 30 Member and Observer Countries. The Belgian and EU-wide reports are both made available today, with the European report presented today 9 July 2025 at an online launch event gathering over 260 participants. For the first time, the EU report is available in an interactive format offering dynamic access to key data and trends.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Asylum and Migration Overview, interactive format, interactive map
From 1 July to 31 December 2025, Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Presidency’s programme emphasises key priorities such as tackling irregular migration, strengthening border control, and fostering cooperation with partner countries. It also aims to enhance legal migration pathways and address the situation of displaced persons.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Danish Presidency, Council of the European Union
Albania has officially joined the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer Country. An Administrative Agreement was signed on 24 June between the European Commission and the Albanian Ministry of Interior. The arrangement was concluded on the margins of a conference co-organised by EMN Poland and establishes formal cooperation between the two parties within the EMN framework.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: European Migration Network, observer country, Albania
On 11 June 2025, the European Commission published a report reviewing the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, halfway through its implementation phase, which is expected to be completed by June 2026. The report provides an overview of progress across the main elements of the Common Implementation Plan, while identifying remaining operational and legal challenges. A mid-term review of the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021–2027 was also released.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation, Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has released its 2025 Fundamental Rights Report, offering a detailed overview of key developments in the EU’s human rights landscape. Among the areas of concern, the report draws particular attention to migration and asylum at the EU’s external borders, where challenges continue to raise fundamental rights issues.
The European Commission has approved an additional €3 billion in funding to assist Member States in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum and to support the hosting of beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine. This amount is composed of €1.8 billion from the revision of the current Multiannual Financial Framework and a €1.2 billion top-up to the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).
On 11 April 2025, the Belgian Council of Ministers agreed on a package of crisis measures aimed at addressing key issues in the field of asylum and migration. The measures include limitations on reception for asylum seekers, restrictions on subsequent applications for international protection, stricter family reunification conditions, and the termination of integration income for asylum seekers. The four draft bills and the draft royal decree have been submitted to the Council of State for review.
On 27 March 2025, EMN Belgium brought together over 130 key stakeholders in the areas of asylum and migration in Belgium. The Minister for Asylum and Migration addressed this large audience of experts from various fields. Participants examined recent developments as well as current and future challenges related to asylum and migration in Belgium and within the EU context. They then explored key topics in breakout sessions and used informal networking opportunities to strengthen connections and explore new collaborations.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: annual EMN policy event
At the European Council on 20 March 2025, EU Ministers encouraged work in the field of migration, particularly regarding cooperation with third countries and the implementation of existing legislation. They also called on the Council and the European Parliament to advance on files with a migration dimension, especially the recent Commission proposal on returns.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: EU Council, common return system
The European Commission has adopted its 2025 work programme, with key initiatives including the first five-year European Migration and Asylum Strategy. This strategy will provide a strategic framework for continued work under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, building on the national migration and asylum strategies of EU Member States.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Commission, work programme, New Pact on Migration and Asylum
On 3 February 2025, Belgium's new Federal 'Arizona' Government was sworn in before King Philippe. Anneleen Van Bossuyt, from the New Flemish Alliance Party (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, N-VA), becomes Minister of Asylum and Migration, Social Integration and Urban Policy.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Minister of Asylum and Migration, Belgium
In the new agreement, partners of the federal coalition intend to control the influx of migrants and to move further towards controlled migration. They also emphasise the need to foster the integration of newcomers, inter alia through a binding newcomer's declaration, and to impose requirements in this regard on those who wish to obtain or maintain a right of permanent residence in Belgium.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: federal coalition agreement, Belgium, controlled migration
On 16 January EMN Belgium participated in the MIGLOBA Day 2025, an event dedicated to the University of Antwerp’s Network on Migration and Global Mobility.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: university of antwerp
Due to the numerous amendments to the Aliens Act, the development of a Migration Code has appeared necessary. In this context, a Commission of Independent Experts was established to provide guidance for the drafting of a new Code. Its final report, now publicly available, presents, among other elements, the Commission’s working methodology, key guidelines for codification, a proposed structure for the Code, and its discussions on draft texts.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Migration Code, commission, report
Poland will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of June 2025. Its programme focuses on strengthening European security in its many dimensions. In the field of justice and home affairs, Poland aims inter alia to counter the instrumentalisation of migration by Russia and Belarus.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Polish Presidency, Council of the European Union
As the year comes to a close, the team at the Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN) would like to send you its heartfelt wishes for this holiday season. May the New Year bring us new opportunities for meaningful exchanges and positive impact as we continue to provide you with valuable information on asylum and migration.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: holiday season greetings, EMN Belgium, New Year wishes 2025
The 18 December was chosen to celebrate International Migrants Day and the contributions that migrants make to the societies and countries that host them. On this occasion, various persons and organisations took action and issued statements calling for respect for the rights of migrants.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: international migrants day
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the Atlas of Migration 2024 which delves into the complex factors and conditions that shape migratory movements. The research shows that a wide range of interrelated drivers linked to the circumstances in the origin country, opportunities in the potential destination country as well as personal ambitions shape the migration potential of individuals and groups.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: migration driver, decision to migrate, motivation to migrate
On 27 November 2024, members of the European Parliament elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote. The College of Commissioners is expected to take office on 1 December 2024. Magnus Brunner will be the new Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, marking the end of Ylva Johansson's mandate.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner for Home Affairs
The EMN Steering Board has voted on the topics to be analysed in studies and informs in 2025. In total, one study and nine informs, particularly in connection with the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, will be developed next year. A Belgian proposal inviting us to rethink the reception of applicants for international protection was selected.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
The latest International Migration Outlook 2024 includes a special focus on immigrant entrepreneurship. It highlights that migrants represent a growing share of total entrepreneurs in OECD countries. In 2022, 17% of the self-employed in OECD countries on average were migrants, up from 11% in 2006.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: migrant entrepreneurship, self-employment, job creation
On 5 November, the LIBE Committee questioned Magnus Brunner, the Austrian candidate for the Internal Affairs and Migration portfolio. Brunner committed to speeding up the implementation of some elements of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and showed himself open to considering new ideas to complement it. He also announced that he would table a new Return Directive and strengthen legal pathways to attract the skills that EU labour markets need.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: Commissioner for Home Affairs, New Pact on Migration and Asylum, return hub, return directive, EU Talent Pool, external border
On 28 October 2024, the European Commission and the Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia signed an Administrative Arrangement to collaborate in the European Migration Network, making North Macedonia one of the network’s Observer Countries. North Macedonia will contribute to the European Migration Network’s objectives, attending all meetings and contributing to the network’s studies and reports.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: European Migration Network, observer country
On 17-18 October 2024, EMN Belgium participated in the Odysseus Network Conference 2024 on EU Legislation after the Pact. This event offered EMN Belgium the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of some of the 485 pages included in the new legal instruments introduced by the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Main Theme: Cross-sectional
Keywords: New Pact on Migration and Asylum, implementation, solidarity, responsibility sharing, border, screening, fundamental right
During the European Council on 17 October 2024, EU leaders adopted conclusions, among other things, on migration. They called, inter alia, for determined action to facilitate, increase, and speed up returns from the EU. They invited the European Commission to submit a new legislative proposal, as a matter of urgency.
