This Inform is set against the broader digital transformation of public administrations across the European Union, reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the expansion of digital public services. Migration authorities in EMN Member and Observer Countries have progressively digitalised parts of legal migration procedures, including online applications and document uploads, while still maintaining certain in-person steps. Previous EMN outputs have highlighted both the benefits of digitalisation in terms of efficiency, transparency and user experience, and the potential risks of exclusion for users with limited digital access or skills. In this context, accessibility and inclusion are key considerations, particularly for applicants with disabilities and those facing broader forms of digital disadvantage.

Some of the main findings of this Inform are presented below:

• Most responding EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures in line with EU and international accessibility standards, including the Web Accessibility Directive and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, although the level of implementation varies across countries.
   
• Ten countries reported introducing additional accessibility measures beyond legal requirements, including text-to-speech tools, video relay services, easy-to-read formats and other features aimed at facilitating access to online procedures.
   
• Most countries continue to rely on hybrid systems combining digital procedures with in-person support, particularly for applicants who face difficulties accessing or using digital services.
   
• The degree of digitalisation of legal migration procedures varies significantly between countries. While some countries allow certain procedures to be completed fully online, most still require in-person steps such as biometric data collection, identity verification or the submission of original documents.
   
• Measures supporting digitally disadvantaged applicants are generally part of broader public service initiatives and are not always specifically tailored to legal migration procedures.
   
• In countries where applicants can indicate disability-related or special support needs, safeguards linked to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) apply to the collection, access and storage of sensitive information.
   
• Only a limited number of countries directly involve applicants with disabilities or digitally disadvantaged applicants in the development and testing of digital services, with most relying instead on indirect feedback mechanisms.
   
• Countries reported challenges linked to technical limitations, the accessibility of older digital systems, limited digital literacy among applicants, and difficulties involving users with disabilities in testing and developing online services.
   
• Good practices identified include accessibility-by-design approaches, practical accessibility tools, hybrid support models combining digital and in-person assistance, and regular accessibility reviews aimed at improving usability and inclusion.

The full Inform is attached above. For more detailed country-specific information, please refer to the ad hoc query used to collect the data for this Inform.