A joint ministerial decision for the implementation of a new framework for determining the age of third-country nationals or stateless persons, in cases where doubt arises regarding their minor status, was signed in August 2025.
The aim of the new framework is to ensure correct registration and enhance transparency in the reception and examination procedures for asylum requests.
In the event that there are questions about the minority of a third-country national or stateless person, at any stage of the procedures, referral is made to the age determination procedure.
The determination is carried out once and on the same day, using a combination of three methods:
- Medical evaluation of physical development.
- Psychosocial assessment by a specialist scientist.
- X-ray of the left wrist/hand to determine bone age.
In case of discrepancy between the results, the assessment of the X-ray shall prevail. The procedure shall be carried out only with the written consent of the applicant or his/her legal representative. Refusal to participate constitutes a rebuttable presumption of adulthood, without however preventing the examination of the application for international protection.