Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR)
The country that will examine your application is determined through a process established by a European Union law known as the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR). According to this law, only one country is responsible to examine your application.
The AMMR establishes a set of criteria to determine which country is responsible for examining an application for international protection. According to these criteria, you could be transferred to another European country, referred to as “EU+ countries”, if:
- You are an unaccompanied minor whose family member, sibling or relative is residing in another EU+ country.
- You have a family member who has been granted international protection in another EU+ country.
- You have a family member who has applied for international protection in another EU+ country and is waiting for a decision.
- You depend on a family member, or they depend on you due to illness, disability or old age.
- You are currently in possession of a valid visa or residence permit issued by another EU+ country.
- You previously held a visa or residence permit issued by another EU+ country.
- You completed studies in another EU+ country for at least one year.
- You entered another EU+ country before arriving in Malta (including irregular entry or being rescued at sea).
- You entered legally into another EU+ country without needing a visa.
- You already made an application for international protection in another EU+ country.
Important information
- You cannot choose which country will examine your application.
- You must cooperate with the authorities and follow their instructions.
- You must remain in the country while your application is being processed.
- You must provide documents about your identity, travel and family.
- You must provide your fingerprints and photograph.
Timeframes
- The procedure usually takes between 1.5 and 3 months.
- If another country is responsible, transfer usually takes place within 6 months.
Appeals
- You can appeal if the transfer affects your rights.
- You can appeal if there is new information.
- You can appeal if you should be reunited with family.
- Free legal assistance may be provided.
Relocation
- You may be moved to another EU+ country so that your application is examined there.
- You cannot choose the country.
- You can appeal the decision.
EU+ Countries
Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Croatia (HR), Cyprus (CY), Czechia (CZ), Denmark (DK), Estonia (EE), Finland (FI), France (FR), Germany (DE), Greece (EL), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Malta (MT), Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES), Sweden (SE), Iceland (IS), Liechtenstein (LI), Norway (NO) and Switzerland (CH).
Contact
AMMR Booklets
For further information, please
refer to the AMMR information booklets.
