Ongoing EMN studies 2026-2027

Overview of the ongoing EMN studies on asylum and migration policies in EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries (Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom). The findings highlight similarities and differences between countries. In this way, the EMN supports policymakers in developing national and European migration policies.

EMN Netherlands, the Dutch National Contact Point of the EMN, maps the policy situation in the Netherlands for each EMN study, inform and information request (ad-hoc query). In our benchmarks and two-pagers, we compare the findings for the Netherlands with those of other EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries. For an overview of all publications and an explanation of the different types of studies, see: Publications. For the policy overviews of EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries, see: Policy reports.

Publications 2026 

Title: ‘Statelessness in the European Union, Norway, Georgia, and Serbia’
Theme: Statelessness
Type: Two-pager EMN Netherlands
Publication date: September 2026
EMN Netherlands two-pager accompanying the EMN inform 'Statelessness in the European Union, Norway, Georgia, and Serbia' (28 July 2026), with an analysis of the findings from a Dutch perspective. The EMN study examines how EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries address statelessness and the policies they have in place to reduce it. It forms part of the EMN Platform on Statelessness publication series.

Title: 'Early integration of asylum seekers - experience and good practices'
Theme: Integration
Type: Two-pager EMN Netherlands
Publication date: September 2026
EMN Netherlands two-pager accompanying the EMN Inform 'Early Integration of Asylum Seekers – Experience and Good Practices' (3 August 2026), with an analysis of the findings from a Dutch perspective. Allowing applicants for international protection to work, attend language courses or take part in vocational training during the asylum procedure has a positive effect on their long-term integration. Integration policies for beneficiaries of international protection are often well known, but what do countries do at an earlier stage, before a final decision on an asylum application has been taken?

Title: 'Fostering sustainable labour market integration of third-country nationals: skills matching policies and instruments'
Themes: Integration, labour market
Type: Benchmark EMN Netherlands
Publication date: October 2026
EMN Netherlands benchmark accompanying the EMN study 'Fostering Sustainable Labour Market Integration: Skills Matching Policies and Instruments' (30 July 2026), comparing Dutch skills matching policies with those of other European countries. Skills matching refers to matching people with jobs based on their education, knowledge and skills. Among beneficiaries of international protection, labour migrants from outside the EU/EFTA and displaced persons from Ukraine, mismatches are common: many companies across the EU struggle to find qualified staff, while migrants often work in jobs that do not match their qualifications or level of education. According to European countries, what are the causes of these mismatches? Which instruments are in place to promote skills matching and/or prevent mismatches?

Title: 'Benchmark: implementation, challenges and policy changes under the Family Reunification Directive – the Dutch situation compared with other EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries' (Dutch only)
Theme: Family reunification
type: Benchmark EMN Netherlands (regular family reunification)
Publication date: October 2026
Second EMN Netherlands benchmark accompanying the EMN study on the development of family reunification policies in the EU since the introduction of the Family Reunification Directive. The first benchmark (7 October 2025, Dutch only) examined family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection.

Publications 2026/2027

• Retaining international talent | 'Staying or Moving On? Drivers and Policies to Retain Global Talent', November 2026
• Digital tools for border control in the EU | 'The Use of Automated Border Control Tools for Third-Country Nationals in the EU', January 2027
• Voluntary return of Ukrainians | 'Voluntary Return Support Programs for Displaced Persons from Ukraine', January 2027
• Unaccompanied minors in the EU | 'Unaccompanied Minor Migrants in the EU: Legal, Social and Institutional Challenges', February 2027
• Reorganisation of reception systems | 'Reception Unlocked: An Overview of the (Re)organisation of Reception Systems', March 2027
• Migration and demographics in EU border regions | 'Migration and Demographic Sustainability in Peripheral Regions of EU Member States', March 2027
• Integrated migration management | 'From Policy to Practice: Implementing a Whole-of-Government Approach in Migration Management', April 2027
• Integration policies of local authorities | 'Local Infrastructures of Integration: Assessing the State of Play of Local Governance's Migrant Integration Policies, Measures, and Strategies', June 2027
• Ondersteuning bij terugkeer en herintegratie | ‘Return and reintegration assistance programmes as part of return policy: aims, policy rationale and monitoring’, June 2027