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.

Refugee Walk 2026 is an annual fundraising walking event organised by Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen. Thousands of participants will walk either 20 km or 40 km on 4 October, choosing to join the central event in Brussels or to follow a self-selected route elsewhere. Walkers participate individually or with friends, colleagues, or organisations, combining physical activity with a visible show of solidarity for refugees.

Tijdens dit lanceringsevenement krijgen de deelnemers meer inzicht in de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen op het gebied van migratie en asiel bij de EMN-leden en -waarnemende landen in 2025. Op basis van de bevindingen van het EMN Asiel- en Migratieoverzicht (AMO) 2025 zullen tijdens het evenement de belangrijkste trends en beleidsontwikkelingen worden gepresenteerd die zowel op EU- als op nationaal niveau zijn vastgesteld.

The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy have proposed a new horizontal EU sanctions regime targeting migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and other serious forms of organised crime. The proposed framework would allow the European Union to impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities involved in such activities originating outside the EU where they pose a serious threat to the Union's values, the security of the EU and its Member States, or to international security. The proposals will now be examined by the Council.

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.

The European Commission has rejected calls from the aviation sector and the Port of Dover to suspend the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) during the summer travel season. While acknowledging operational difficulties at around 20 external border crossing points, the Commission considers that suspending the system would not be appropriate. It has instead announced additional efforts to support Member States facing implementation challenges.

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.

For the next six months, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. From 1 July to 31 December 2026, Ireland will chair the work of the Council and steer negotiations across a wide range of policy areas, including justice and home affairs. In the field of asylum and migration, the Irish Presidency has placed particular emphasis on implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, strengthening returns, and enhancing cooperation with partner countries.

The Summer School in Brussels brings together around 100 participants, including students, academics, and professionals from EU Member States and EU institutions, as well as refugee-students supported by the RefYOUgees initiative. It combines a series of courses on EU Migration and Asylum Law with debates on recent policy developments. Participants also attend seminars presenting PhD research projects and discuss complex legal and policy issues. The programme provides opportunities for interaction and networking among students, academics, practitioners, and refugee participants.

EMN Luxemburg en de Luxemburgse Ombudsman voor Kinderen en Jongeren (OKaJu) brengen EU-ombudsmannen voor kinderen en jongeren, evenals instanties voor kinderwelzijn bijeen om het belang van het kind te bespreken in het kader van de uitvoering van het EU-pact inzake migratie en asiel. De bijeenkomst is een goed moment om de balans op te maken van de eerste ervaringen en opkomende praktijken. Er wordt bijzondere aandacht besteed aan het waarborgen dat de verplichtingen op het gebied van de grondrechten, vooral die met betrekking tot kinderen, in de nationale stelsels worden nageleefd.

Op 25 juni 2026 nam het Belgische contactpunt van het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN) deel aan de derde thematische bijeenkomst over kinderen in migratie, die gezamenlijk werd georganiseerd door het Luxemburgse contactpunt van het EMN en de OKaJu (Ombudsman voor kinderen in Luxemburg – Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugenlecher). Het doel van de conferentie was om het belang van het kind te bespreken in het kader van de uitvoering van het EU-pact inzake migratie en asiel. Het evenement bracht diverse belanghebbenden uit 24 landen, evenals verschillende internationale organisaties en netwerken, zowel online als ter plaatse bijeen.

The United Kingdom has officially joined the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer Country. An Administrative Arrangement was signed on 19 June between the European Commission and the UK Home Office, formalising cooperation within the EMN framework. The agreement reinforces the exchange of objective and comparable information on migration and asylum and marks an important step in strengthening cooperation between the United Kingdom and the EMN.

België heeft, samen met de Europese Commissie, de rol van medevoorzitter van de EMN Return Expert Group (REG) op zich genomen. In die hoedanigheid was EMN België op 16 juni 2026 gastheer van een plenaire vergadering van de REG in Brussel.

A draft law introducing the possibility of home searches to enforce return decisions has begun its parliamentary examination in the House of Representatives. The measure would concern certain third-country nationals subject to an enforceable return decision who do not cooperate with their return and are considered to pose a risk to public order or national security. Discussed by the Committee on Home Affairs on 16 June 2026, the proposal will be subject to consultations with experts and stakeholders before the committee continues its examination.

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.

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.

Op 4 juni 2026 organiseerden EMN België en EMN Zweden, samen met de Zweedse Expertgroep voor Hulpstudies (EBA) en de Zweedse Delegatie voor Migratiestudies (Delmi), het EU- lanceringsseminarie “Linking Migration and Development Cooperation: European Experiences and Policy Reflections” bij de Permanente Vertegenwoordiging van België bij de EU in Brussel.

EMN België en EMN Zweden organiseren, samen met de Swedish Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) en de Swedish Migration Studies Delegation (Delmi), het EU-launchseminar van de publicatie "Linking Migration and Development: European Experiences and Policy Lessons for Sweden".

Op 26 mei 2026 bracht EMN België meer dan 130 stakeholders uit de asiel- en migratiesector samen. Tijdens dit evenement werd ook het Belgisch Asiel- en Migratieoverzicht 2025 uitgebracht, waarin de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen op het gebied van asiel en migratie in België gedurende het voorbije jaar worden belicht. Het diverse publiek van experts nam deel aan reflecties en discussies over recente trends binnen het domein, evenals over een versterkte samenwerking binnen het Belgische asiel- en migratiesysteem. De dag omvatte bovendien parallelsessies over belangrijke thema’s, naast informele netwerkmomenten om contacten te leggen en nieuwe samenwerkingen te stimuleren.

Belgium has adopted new rules governing the renewal of residence permits for third-country national students. The amendments introduce stricter requirements concerning study progress, maximum study duration, changes of study programme and enrolment in non-recognised higher education institutions. They were adopted by Royal Decree of 7 May 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 May 2026, and apply from the 2026/2027 academic year.

EMN België nam deel aan de EMN-conferentie op hoog niveau onder het voorzitterschap van Cyprus, getiteld “Taking stock of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: turning strategy into reality”, die op 19 en 20 mei 2026 plaatsvond in Nicosia.

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.

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.

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.

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.