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.

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.

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 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.

The Belgian Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announces a series of changes that will apply from 12 June 2026. These changes are part of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in 2024. They will affect asylum procedures, operational practices and new institutional responsibilities.

In 2025, minors accounted for 23.7% of all first-time asylum applicants in the European Union, according to recent Eurostat data. A total of 158.400 children applied for asylum for the first time, including a significant proportion of unaccompanied minors. While the overall number of minor applicants declined compared to previous years, children continue to represent a substantial share of asylum seekers in the EU.

The Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) has made the use of its child-friendly courtroom (“Salle M”) a structural arrangement as of March 2026. The measure applies to asylum appeal cases involving unaccompanied minors and is accompanied by adapted summonses, age-appropriate information materials, and strengthened judicial training on children’s rights. The initiative builds on a pilot phase and forms part of broader European efforts to enhance child-friendly justice.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft law aimed at bringing Belgian legislation on the guardianship of unaccompanied minors into line with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and introducing additional safeguards for minors. The text has been submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.

On 20 March 2026, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a draft law that would link the level of social assistance granted to beneficiaries of subsidiary and temporary protection to their participation in integration efforts through the Individual Social Integration Project (ISIP). Under the proposal, the amount of social assistance could be adjusted depending on the efforts made by the beneficiary to integrate.

Myria has released its first comprehensive mapping of quantitative data on minor victims of human trafficking and aggravated forms of smuggling in Belgium. The report aims to provide a clearer statistical basis for understanding the situation of minors at risk, while also highlighting structural gaps in current data collection and sharing practices.

The Antwerp Family Court has annulled the decisions of local civil registry officials that sought to revoke the Belgian nationality of children born in Belgium to Palestinian parents. In five rulings issued on 27 February 2026, the court emphasised that depriving these children of nationality would be contrary to their best interests.

The medical office run by Médecins du Monde within the Humanitarian Hub in Brussels will cease its activities on 31 March 2026. The closure follows the recent shutdown of the Athena Medical Centre. According to the organisation, this will further reduce access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups in the capital. Médecins du Monde has warned of likely consequences for emergency services and for people with limited access to care.