Accompanied children can receive a separate asylum hearing in almost all EU Member States and EMN observer countries, except Malta.

The new cabinet's ‘strictest asylum policy yet’ largely dominated political and public debate in 2024. The Asylum Crisis Act, the two-status system, and the penalties imposed on the COA for overcrowding at Ter Apel were frequently discussed.

Asylum seekers have the right to appeal against a decision on their asylum application. With a view to the entry into force of the Migration Pact on 12 June 2026, the EMN mapped out the current appeal procedures of Member States.

Human trafficking is a form of crime that crosses borders. Criminal networks are spread across countries of origin, transit and destination. This international dimension makes combating human trafficking complex.

2024 was an eventful year for asylum and migration policy in Europe. The adoption of the European Migration Pact was an important milestone. Border management and the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive were high on the agenda.

The European Migration Network (EMN) has a new member.

In the EU, only Finland, France, Italy and the Netherlands structurally involve migrants from non-EU/EFTA countries to shape their national migration policies. The Netherlands does so for policies related to the resettlement and temporary protection of Ukrainians.

Under the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, EU Member States are required to develop a national migration strategy.

For displaced persons from Ukraine, finding work involves more than just knowing the language of the country. It also involves finding a job that matches their education, but this is often a challenge.