This EMN study provides an overview of the changes to national strategies, approaches and measures in response to the unprecedented migratory movements to EU Member States and Norway between 2014 and 2016. The significant increase and subsequent decrease in the influx of applicants for international protection impacted on different (Member) States in different ways In particular, the study examines the changes made in the processing of applications for international protection; reception services; registration procedures; asylum procedures (including rights afforded to applicants) and the content/legal consequences of the protection granted; border control and law enforcement; integration measures; plus other areas impacted by these policies. The study will enable the reader to understand the ways in which EU Member States and Norway responded to the migration crisis in their country, and the consequences thereof. It draws out key challenges, good practices and lessons learnt during this period. Finally, the study shows the extent to which the (Member) States included in this study are operationally and organisationally prepared for potentially similar situations in the future.
The Synthesis Report was prepared on the basis of national contributions from 25 EMN NCPs (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Norway) based on a common template developed by the EMN and completed by EMN NCPs to ensure, to the extent possible, comparability.