De EMN Spanje Conferentie markeert de 40e verjaardag van de toetreding van Spanje tot de EU en blikt terug op vier decennia van transformatie in migratiebeleid en integratie. Het evenement onderzoekt de Spaanse ontwikkeling van een emigratieland naar een belangrijke bestemming voor migranten, samen met het evoluerende EU-migratiekader. De conferentie benadrukt de rol van het Schengenakkoord en het nieuwe Europese Pact over Migratie en Asiel. Beleidsmakers en experts zullen de uitdagingen en kansen bespreken die de toekomst van migratie in Europa vormgeven. 

De EMN Italië Conferentie 2025 richt zich op de implementatie van het Europees Pact inzake Migratie en Asiel. Georganiseerd door de Centrale Directie voor Migratiebeleid binnen het Italiaanse Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, benadrukt het evenement de rol van gecoördineerde multi-level governance met betrokkenheid van Europese, nationale, regionale en lokale actoren. De conferentie heeft tot doel beleidsontwikkelingen, governance-structuren en praktische ervaringen met betrekking tot migratie- en asielbeheer in Italië en in de EU te verkennen.

On 30 September 2025, seven organisations, including humanitarian groups, published the fifth edition of their Belgian report on the country’s non-reception policy and its effects on asylum seekers. The report provides data on reduced access to accommodation and essential services during the first half of 2025, following policy changes introduced by the coalition government formed in January. It documents impacts on housing, healthcare, mental health, and legal support for people seeking international protection.

Op 30 september 2025 kreeg EMN België, op uitnodiging van Enabel, de gelegenheid om de specifieke kenmerken van zijn netwerkgerichte aanpak toe te lichten aan vertegenwoordigers uit Ivoorkust en Mauritanië, die België bezochten in het kader van een uitwisselingsbezoek rond inclusie en (re)integratie. 

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.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe examined the execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Camara v. Belgium. The case highlighted a systemic failure to enforce judicial decisions ordering the State to provide accommodation and material support to asylum-seekers. While some progress has been made in freeing up reception places and improving operational support, concerns persist over reductions in capacity and the risk to the rule of law. The Committee urged the Belgian authorities to adopt sustainable measures and provide detailed information on enforcement.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a recommendation outlining a common framework for the gradual transition of displaced Ukrainians out of temporary protection. The measures aim to support sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine when conditions allow, while also facilitating access to other residence statuses for those eligible. The recommendation provides guidance on voluntary return, reintegration support and information systems for displaced persons.  

Het Directoraat-Generaal Vreemdelingenzaken van het Franse ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken organiseert samen met EMN Frankrijk en EMN Luxemburg de vierde workshop over 'forecasting' of prognoses en nieuwe technologieën op het gebied van migratie- en asielbeleid. Deze workshop brengt vertegenwoordigers van EU-agentschappen, internationale organisaties, nationale autoriteiten en de academische wereld samen. De deelnemers zullen van gedachten wisselen over de huidige praktijken, nieuwe ontwikkelingen en toekomstige richtingen op dit gebied.

Eurostat data show that in 2024, the EU issued 3.5 million first residence permits to non-EU citizens, marking an 8.3% decrease compared with 2023, which had recorded the highest number to date. Employment remained the main reason for granting residence permits, while student permits continued to increase slightly.

Myria werft een beleidsmedewerker aan (voltijds – contract van 2 jaar) ter ondersteuning van het Belgisch Contactpunt van het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN). De functie focust voornamelijk op arbeidsmigratie en gezinshereniging. U draagt in het Engels bij aan het opstellen van rapporten, studies en beleidsdocumenten in een Europese context. De standplaats van de functie is Brussel.

Asylum applications in EU+ countries fell by nearly a quarter in the first half of 2025, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). A sharp decline in requests from Syrians, following political change in the country, shifted the profile of applicants across Europe. Venezuelans became the largest group seeking protection, while Germany lost its position as the main destination country. Recognition rates reached a record low, reflecting procedural factors and changes in applicant composition.

From 1 September 2025, the filing fee for appeals before Belgium’s Council for Alien Law Litigation will increase from €186 to €251, marking a rise of approximately 35%. The fee for parties wishing to intervene in ongoing cases will also increase, from €133 to €180. Legal practitioners are advised to inform clients of the new rates. Questions remain over the impact of these increases on access to justice for vulnerable individuals.

In August 2025, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) introduced a Self-Assessment Tool to help national authorities evaluate the quality of their asylum procedures. Based on EUAA operational standards and indicators, the tool provides a structured method for self-assessment. It aims to help administrations identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with EU standards. A descriptive version of the tool is currently available to guide implementation.

The term “instrumentalisation of migrants” describes a strategy where countries outside the EU use the movement of people to put political pressure on the Union or one of its Member States. This has happened at several borders in recent years and has had real human consequences. A new paper from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) explains what the phenomenon is, the dilemmas it creates, and why responses must strike a careful balance.

A European pilot project is underway to improve access to sustainable housing for beneficiaries of international protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection. Running from November 2024 to October 2027, PATHS brings together IOM, Orbit and Fedasil in Belgium, with partners in France and Greece. The initiative focuses on preventing homelessness through housing platforms, stronger intermediary organisations and greater engagement with property owners.

From 4 August 2025, Belgium implements two changes affecting international protection procedures. The period to justify absence from personal interviews is reduced from 15 to 8 days. In addition, new applications submitted after a decision on a previous request in another EU Member State are now registered as subsequent applications.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that a Member State may designate a third country as a ‘safe country of origin’ by legislative act, provided that the designation can be subject to effective judicial review. The judgment clarifies that the sources used for such a designation must be accessible to both applicants and courts. The Court also stated that a country cannot be listed as ‘safe’ if it does not offer adequate protection to all its population.

Het Commissariaat-Generaal voor de Vluchtelingen en Staatlozen (CGVS) heeft aangekondigd dat de opschorting van de verwerking van aanvragen om internationale bescherming van Syriërs, een maatregel die sinds december 2024 van kracht is, wordt verlengd tot eind oktober 2025.

The Dutch Council of State has ruled that single male asylum seekers may no longer be transferred to Belgium under the Dublin Regulation. The judgment cites systemic failures in Belgium’s reception and legal protection for this group, exposing them to a real risk of inhuman treatment. These individuals must now remain in the Netherlands while their asylum claims are processed.

On 23 July, Belgium officially published two new laws aimed at reducing the burden on international protection procedures and limiting access to reception for certain applicants. In particular, these laws redefine which applications are considered subsequent by including those who have already received protection or a final decision in another EU country, and they limit access to reception facilities and material assistance for this group. The laws reflect the government’s intention to streamline asylum processing and manage reception capacity effectively.

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling nearly €2 trillion. A significant portion of this budget—approximately €81 billion—is earmarked for migration, border management, and internal security. Within this amount, €34 billion is specifically allocated to migration management, tripling the funding compared to the previous period.

Het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN) heeft zijn populaire glossarium toegankelijker dan ooit gemaakt. Het kan geraadpleegd worden via een vernieuwde website en mobiele app. Met meer dan 540 asiel- en migratietermen in 27 talen helpt het glossarium om complexe concepten te begrijpen. Of je nu een student, journalist, eerstelijnswerker of gewoon nieuwsgierig bent naar asiel en migratie in Europa, het EMN Glossarium biedt duidelijke definities, betrouwbare vertalingen en slimme zoekfuncties - gratis en toegankelijk voor iedereen.

Het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN) heeft zijn Asiel- en Migratieoverzicht 2024 gepubliceerd, met bijdragen van 30 Europese landen. Het Belgische en EU overzicht werden beiden vandaag gepubliceerd, waarbij het Europese overzicht vandaag, 9 juli 2025, werd gepresenteerd tijdens een online lanceringsevenement met meer dan 260 deelnemers. Voor het eerst is het EU overzicht beschikbaar in een interactief formaat dat dynamische toegang biedt tot belangrijke gegevens en trends.

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.

Myria has published the first thematic section of its 2025 annual report. This section, entitled "Population and movements", reveals that foreign nationals made up over 13% of the Belgian population as of 1 January 2024. Immigration from Romania, France and Ukraine was particularly high. The report also details key trends in foreign residence permits, demographic profiles and migratory flows.