This EMN Inform summarises the findings from the EMN Study on Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Programmes in Europe – what works? and is based on contributions from EMN National Contact Points[1].
This EMN Inform provides an overview of policies and practices on the functioning of resettlement, humanitarian admission programmes and schemes, as well as private sponsorship programmes for refugees in the EU Member States and Norway.
Key points to note:
- 17 Member States and Norway have in place resettlement or humanitarian admission programmes or schemes, or have had them in the past, while six countries do not (yet) have experience with resettlement or humanitarian admission.
- The UNHCR has a clear role in identifying and interviewing candidates for resettlement, while Member States’ authorities take the final decision on resettlement after selection missions. Dossier selection is also widely used, especially for humanitarian admission.
- The majority of Member States grant the same or a similar status to both resettled refugees and other beneficiaries of international protection. Some humanitarian admission programmes envisage return to the country of origin and initially grant stay of up to two years, though in certain circumstances such stays can be extended, and indefinite stay is ultimately possible.
- Member States’ rules and approaches vary regarding accommodation, geographical distribution and integration measures provided to the resettled/admitted individual
- Although only six Member States have implemented formal private sponsorship programmes or schemes, several other Member States are interested in developing such programmes.
See also:
- Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Programmes in Europe – what works?: EMN Synthesis Report
- Resettlement of Refugee and Private Sponsorship in Ireland
[1] Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
