Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

This regulation sets up the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). This fund aims to contribute to the efficient management of migration flows and improve the implementation and development of the common policy on immigration and asylum of the European Union (EU).

The EU’s AMIF has four main objectives:

• strengthening and developing all aspects of the common European asylum system, including its external aspect;
• supporting legal migration to the EU Member States in accordance with their economic and social needs, such as labour market needs, and promoting the effective integration of nationals from non-EU countries;
• enhancing return strategies in the Member States, with an emphasis on the sustainability of return and effective readmission in the countries of origin;
• enhancing solidarity and the sharing of responsibility between the Member States, in particular for those most affected by migration and asylum flows.

KEY POINTS

All Member States (except Denmark, which is not participating in this fund) prepare national programmes outlining the initiatives through which they intend to achieve the aims set out in the AMIF regulation.

Examples of initiatives include measures to support:

• reception and asylum systems (such as improved administrative structures, training of staff dealing with asylum procedures and developing alternatives to detention);
• integration measures, with a focus on the local level (such as the provision of training and services to non-EU nationals and the sharing of best practices among Member States);
• voluntary return programmes, reintegration measures, etc.

While most of the fund’s budget is allocated to the national programmes, part of it is used for EU-level initiatives, emergency assistance, the European Migration Network and technical assistance at the initiative of the European Commission.

Specific initiatives

In addition to their national programme allocation, Member States may receive an additional amount for the implementation of specific initiatives. These initiatives (listed in Annex II) require Member States to cooperate with each other and generate significant added value for the EU.

EU resettlement programme

Each Member State may also receive, every 2 years, an additional amount based on a lump sum of €6,000 for each resettled person, which will be increased to €10,000 for common priorities (such as regional protection programmes) and groups of vulnerable persons.

Budget

The financial envelope for the implementation of the fund for 2014–2020 was initially set at €3.137 billion, and subsequently has been more than doubled, mainly due to the migration crisis in 2015/2016. Details regarding the implementation of the fund can be found in Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 (see summary).

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 led to a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine to several Member States, placing renewed pressure on the financial resources of Member States to deal with urgent migration, border management and security needs. Amending Regulation (EU) 2022/585 offers flexibility by permitting the exceptional use of unspent amounts allocated to Member States from the 2014–2020 AMIF to help them address new or unforeseen circumstances in relation to asylum and migration management. In addition, it also extends the implementation period of the 2014–2020 Home Affairs Funds by 1 year.

Decision (EU) 2022/1928 confirms Ireland’s participation in Regulation (EU) 2022/585.

Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 established a new AMIF for the 2021–2027 period (see summary).

Decision (EU) 2022/507 confirms Ireland’s participation in Regulation (EU) 2021/1147.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2014.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

• Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2014–2020) (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, amending Council Decision 2008/381/EC and repealing Decisions No 573/2007/EC and No 575/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Decision 2007/435/EC (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, pp. 168–194).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Decision (EU) 2022/1928 of 11 October 2022 confirming the participation of Ireland in Regulation (EU) 2022/585 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management, (EU) No 516/2014 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and (EU) 2021/1147 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (OJ L 265, 12.10.2022, pp. 81–82).

Commission Decision (EU) 2022/507 of 29 March 2022 confirming the participation of Ireland in Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (OJ L 102, 30.3.2022, p. 33).

Regulation (EU) 2021/1147 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, pp. 1–47).

See consolidated version.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/445 of 15 October 2019 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (OJ L 94, 27.3.2020, pp. 1–2).

Regulation (EU) 2018/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2018 amending Regulation (EU) No 516/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards the recommitment of the remaining amounts committed to support the implementation of Council Decisions (EU) 2015/1523 and (EU) 2015/1601 or the allocation of those amounts to other actions under the national programmes (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, pp. 78–81).

Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, pp. 112–142).

See consolidated version.

last update 14.12.2022