Ad Hoc Query on unaccompanied minors with coexisting problems and without residence permit
Unaccompanied minors who have little or no perspective of receiving a residence permit within EU Member States, may have co-existing problems such as mental health issues or substance addiction. This ad hoc query examines how EU Member States deal with this specific group and how they could improve the reception and supervision of these young persons.
23 EU Member States replied to this ad-hoc query, but the responses from Poland and Spain are not available for public consultation. Among other results, the ad hoc query shows that:
- 4 Member States have a specific policy for this vulnerable group, at national or local level (BE, FR, IT, NL). Other Member States offer general support as provided to other groups (BG, CZ, EL, LV, SK, SE).
- 7 Member States (BE, BG, CZ, FR, EL, IT, SE) recognize that young people from this group can be part of criminal networks and/or exploited. France mentions a lot of difficulties related to criminality among this group. Greece and Italy experience a lot of problems with unaccompanied minors who fall prey to criminal networks and human traffickers.
- 9 Member States (BE, BG, CZ, EL, FR, IT, LT, NL, SE, SK) note that these unaccompanied minors travel around the EU. Those who travel around the most are Afghans (BE, BG, CZ, EL, IT, NL, SE, SK), Syrians (BG, CZ, EL, SK), Algerians (BE, FR, NL, SK), Moroccans (BE, FR, NL, SK) and Guineans (BE, EL, IT).
- Almost all Member States who register travelling around unaccompanied minors indicate that they represent a relatively small share of all registered migrants. These young persons are a very vulnerable group. Health issues and behavioral problems are frequently observed.
The compilation of answers from EU Member States can be consulted above.