Austria now protects all unaccompanied minors from their first day of asylum
Austria has implemented a new policy, 'care from day one,' to safeguard unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. This change ensures that all children under 18, including older adolescents, receive immediate care upon arrival, closing a gap where previously only children under 14 received automatic support. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer has driven this reform as part of wider EU directives on reception conditions.
Under the old system, adolescents aged 15 to 18 had to wait until their asylum application was formally accepted before accessing support. The updated regulation now transfers guardianship to child and youth welfare agencies the moment an unaccompanied minor is identified.
The policy guarantees state protection from the outset. A legal representative must be appointed within 15 days of the child applying for international protection. This representative ensures the child's best interests are prioritized, explains their rights, and coordinates with authorities.
Guardianship continues until the child is handed over to another designated guardian or if welfare agencies confirm the child has left Austria. The reform follows a draft bill submitted by Sporrer to implement the EU Reception Conditions Directive.
In 2023, Austria registered 5,663 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. Most came from Afghanistan (2,057), Syria (1,057), and Somalia, highlighting the need for stronger early protections.
The new rules remove previous delays in care for older adolescents. All unaccompanied minors will now receive support from the first day of their asylum process. Welfare agencies will oversee their guardianship until a permanent solution is found or the child leaves the country.
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