526 The reform of the Common European Asylum System - implications for practice, policy & research

Abstract OP 27: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 3, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:00 - 17:00 Background / Aim Identifying and addressing special needs of refugees is essential for adequate accommodation, healthcare and the asylum process. In 2024, EU regulations on identifying and dealing with persons with special protection needs have been revised in the scope of the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Our aim was to analyse the reform’s requirements with a focus on implications for public health services and other stakeholders. Additionally, we examined the processes used to identify and address refugees’ protection needs in Germany, a major host country, prior to the CEAS reform. Methods We conducted a document analysis of new EU directives under the?CEAS reform and three multi-stakeholder workshops involving?60 participants across six German federal states. We employed?network analysis, qualitative synthesis, and triangulated the results. Results The EU regulations provide an overarching framework, but require transposition into national law in each member state and further operationalisation by local actors. The cooperation of a wide range?of diverse actors - including medical and social care providers, public health services, reception and border authorities - is needed to Identify and address special protection needs adequately. Differences in responsibilities, roles and divergent attitudes towards systematic approaches, information transfer, and upholding data protection standards have resulted in a lack of a common understanding regarding suitable strategies and procedures for a structured process to identify special protection needs. Consequently, implementation of procedures at national and local levels remains highly inconsistent. Conclusions Following the CEAS reform, EU Member States should clarify the roles and mandates of the actors involved in refugee care, to ensure that special protection needs are identified and addressed in a structured and equity-oriented process. Civil society and research should accompany this process in a critical and constructive manner to ensure that no one is left behind.