The challenge of integrating beneficiaries of international protection in the European Union
Once the stages of reception and processing of their asylum applications have been completed, persons granted refugee status or another form of protection must integrate in their new country of residence. Although the 1951 Geneva Convention and the Common European Asylum System lay the foundations for this, EU Member State governments are putting in place policies with varying degrees of incentives to promote social inclusion of these newcomers in their host societies. What lessons can be drawn from the implementation of integration public policies for beneficiaries of international protection in the Union?
Did you know ?
« Persons recognised as refugees receive a residence permit for the same duration regardless of the European Union Member State which granted them the status »
In the European Union, the « Qualification » Directive lays down minimum rules on the duration of residence permits granted to beneficiaries of international protection, which for refugees must be for a minimum of three years and renewable.
Some governments have chosen to follow this minimum standard and limit the validity of the first residence permit for refugees to three years, including Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Poland and Hungary.
Other Member States have opted for a five-year period of residence, such as Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands.
Finally, some countries allow a ten-year period of residence once refugee status has been granted, such as France and Slovenia.