New reception law to cover more people and more controls introduced

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The new law on reception came into effect on 1 October 2026, replacing the Act on the Reception of Asylum Seekers. More people will be covered by SMA's reception and new control measures will be implemented. Other new rules include: 

  • restrictions for applicants to move to a different accommodation than the one allocated;
  • presence checks at reception return centres;
  • a reporting obligation for those who received a return decision;
  • cases in which the daily allowance can be reduced linked to failing some obligations;
  • access to labour market (as a general rule, the right to work will be granted only if the SMA has not made a decision on the case within 6 months of the registration of the application);
  • changes in the division of responsibilities between the SMA and the municipalities (for instance in the provision housing). 
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