On 24 March 2026, Europol has launched the European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) in The Hague. The centre is intended to strengthen the EU’s response to migrant smuggling networks. It focuses on intelligence-led, data-driven and financial investigations. The initiative builds on over a decade of operational work, including the European Migrant Smuggling Centre established in 2016, which supported Member States through arrests, network dismantling and joint operations.

Belgium plans to progressively return several defence sites used for the reception of applicants for international protection to military use as part of a broader plan to expand defence infrastructure towards 2040. The measure concerns around 4.000 reception places located on military premises across the country. Authorities state that the reduction in capacity can be absorbed within the existing reception network. The transition will take place gradually, with closures scheduled at different times depending on the site.

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.

The Netherlands has decided to resume Dublin transfers of single, non-vulnerable male asylum seekers to Belgium, following a period in which such transfers were suspended after a Dutch court ruling. In April 2025, the District Court of The Hague, sitting in Groningen, found that single male asylum seekers risked being deprived of adequate reception conditions in Belgium, which could expose them to inhumane or degrading treatment. The ruling led to a halt in transfers under the EU Dublin system.

The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) has announced that it will resume processing cases from applicants originating from the West Bank who are not registered with UNRWA. The decision follows a temporary suspension in March 2025 due to the unstable situation in the region. The CGRS now has sufficient up-to-date and objective information to assess the need for international protection.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has advised against a draft law proposing to remove the legal possibility of activating a mandatory distribution plan for reception places in times of crisis. The plan allows the federal government to require municipalities to provide local reception initiatives according to objective allocation criteria. Myria stresses that this mechanism is important to safeguard human dignity and the right to reception, particularly during periods of structural shortages. 

CIRÉ, together with partner organisations, has lodged an urgent appeal at the Council of State challenging a ministerial instruction that continues to exclude asylum seekers who have already been granted protection in another EU member state from reception facilities. The move follows a recent temporary suspension of the measure by the Constitutional Court. CIRÉ argues the instruction undermines judicial authority and the rule of law.

Authorities in Belgium have reported a notable increase in migrant smuggling attempts along the country’s North Sea coast in recent weeks, prompting enhanced law enforcement action and efforts to strengthen international cooperation. Federal and local police forces have stepped up patrols and arrests as part of a broader response to the phenomenon, while Belgium and the United Kingdom are exploring closer collaboration to address the cross-border dimension.

The European Parliament has endorsed the creation of an EU Talent Pool, a digital platform designed to match job vacancies in participating Member States with job seekers from third countries. The initiative aims to support recruitment in sectors facing labour shortages while remaining subject to national immigration procedures and voluntary participation by Member States. While supporters highlight its potential to strengthen legal pathways for labour migration, trade unions have raised concerns about worker protection and safeguards. The proposal still requires formal adoption by the Council before entering into force.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) has adopted its position on the proposed changes to the EU’s policy on the return of non-EU nationals illegally staying in the EU. Among the key measures, third-country nationals with a return decision must cooperate with authorities, may be returned to an agreeing third country, and could face detention of up to 24 months if they do not cooperate or risk absconding. The vote now moves to the full Parliament for approval, paving the way for negotiations with the Council on the final form of the legislation.

The Council of Ministers approved, at second reading, two draft bills aimed at implementing the European Pact on Migration and Asylum in Belgian law. The texts were adopted with a view to their submission to the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium under an urgent procedure. The first draft bill aims to apply or transpose eight legislative instruments of the Pact into Belgian law, while the second concerns procedures before the Council for Alien Law Litigation.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on how maximum detention periods should be calculated for third-country nationals subject to return procedures. It confirmed that all periods of detention related to the same return decision must be aggregated, even if separated by periods of liberty. The Court also clarified that exceeding the initial six-month detention limit requires judicial review, which must be conducted as soon as possible after an extension decision.

According to Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the minimum proof of sufficient means of subsistance for non-EU students wishing to study in Belgium has been increased. She said the measure aims to strengthen study migration as a gateway for international talent while preventing financial abuse and protecting students from precarious situations.

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.

According to the Latest Asylum Trends 2025 published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), EU+ countries received approximately 822.000 applications for international protection in 2025, representing a 19 % decrease compared to 2024. Despite the overall decline, demand for protection remained significant in some groups and countries.  

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 Belgian Constitutional Court has temporarily suspended legislative measures introduced in 2025 that tightened rules on material reception conditions for asylum seekers and family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. The suspensions concern two separate laws, and the Court has referred several preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify their compatibility with EU law.

Child Focus and Payoke have signed a collaboration protocol to better detect, support, and protect minors who are victims of sexual exploitation. The agreement establishes fixed contact points, faster coordination for urgent cases, and tailored referrals, aiming to ensure that victims receive appropriate assistance without having to repeat their story.

Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Belgium has granted more than 101.500 temporary protection certificates to people fleeing the conflict. Today, around 70.600 of these displaced Ukrainians remain in the country. While the temporary protection scheme has been extended until March 2027, uncertainty remains over what will happen afterwards, raising questions for both the authorities and Ukrainian beneficiaries.

The European Commission has launched a new EU-wide awareness campaign to address human trafficking. Under the slogan “End human trafficking. Break the invisible chain”, the initiative seeks to make this often hidden crime more visible to the public. Around 10.000 victims are identified each year across the European Union, while many more remain undetected. The campaign calls on citizens to recognise the signs of exploitation, report concerns and help support victims.

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.

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.

On 19 February 2026, EMN Belgium attended a Mutual Learning Seminar organised by ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles) within the framework of the INNOVATE project, supported by EU funding under the Horizon 2020 programme.Held in Brussels, the seminar brought together experts, civil society representatives and policymakers to assess the state of preparedness across EU Member States for transitioning out of temporary protection under the Temporary Protection Directive, currently extended until March 2027.

The Klarafestival 2026 in Brussels brings together audiences, musicians, and participants from diverse backgrounds around the theme “Where is Home?”. The festival combines classical music concerts with additional activities such as conferences and discussions. It also engages in social initiatives, giving young talents a platform and reaching communities that do not usually experience live classical music. In 2026, particular attention is given to refugees, highlighting the importance of having a safe home and a sense of belonging.

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.