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The EU Asylum Agency Becomes Operational: What It Means for Portugal
Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 established the European Union Agency for Asylum, replacing EASO and expanding operational support for member states processing asylum claims.
On 10 December 2021, Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 establishing the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) was published in the Official Journal. The new agency replaced the former EASO (European Asylum Support Office) and expanded its mandate significantly.
The EUAA now provides operational support to member states, stronger training for asylum officers and more consistent interpretation of EU asylum law. It also enables rapid deployment of support teams during periods of high migratory pressure.
For Portugal, which receives a modest but steady number of asylum applications, the EUAA improves capacity for processing claims and supporting integration. For foreign residents observing the migration landscape—such as potential investors, remote workers and expatriates—the regulation demonstrates the EU’s commitment to modernising and harmonising asylum procedures.
Official source: Official Journal of the EU, Regulation (EU) 2021/2303, 10 December 2021 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu)