Refugee/migration crisis

temporary protection directive

entitles anyone who legally resided in Ukraine before Feb 24 to seek refuge, work, study, and access social welfare in an EU country of their choice without formally requesting asylum

asylum seeker

a person fleeing persecution or a serious harm and seeking international protection under the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees

refugee

an asylum seeker whose claim has been approved

economic migrant

a person whose primary motivation of leaving his/her country is economic gain

principle of non-refoulement

no state can return a refugee in any matter to the country where they fled from

in which EU country should n asylum seeker submit a claim

in the country of first entry

While a refugee’s application is being processed can he/she move to another EU MS

No. A refugee should be awaiting a decision in the country where application was lodged.  Refugee will be transferred back. There can be sanctions for moving to another country, including termination of an application process

problems with the Dublin system

asylum seekers unwilling to be fingerprinted, Greek and Italian officers also unwilling to register, disregards asylum seeker’s preference

What is a refugee entitled to while waiting for a decision on his/her application?

Access to accommodation, food, health care, employment (employment usually from 6 to 12 month after lodged)

How long does it take to approve a refugee’s application?

as long as 6 months

What is an approved refugee entitled to?

Temporary or permanent residence (after 5 years), work permit, travel documents, social welfare, reintegration programs

Once approved, can a refugee freely move and live to another EU country?

No, a refugee can only freely move within a MS that granted protection

When can a refugee freely move across EU MS?

Once a refugee gets a citizenship of an EU country

EU Turkey deal (2016)

“irregular migrants” crossing from Turkey into Greece will be sent back, for each returned person to Turkey, a Syrian migrant will be resettled in the EU from Turkish camps (capped at 72,000), renewed EU membership talks