News
News Published: 2 October 2026
EUAA publishes Practical Guide on Reception Models
The EUAA has published a new Practical Guide on Reception Models, providing national reception authorities with a structured framework to support the design, organisation and management of reception systems for applicants for international protection. Drawing on experience from across EU+ countries, the guide examines different approaches to governance, reception capacity, accommodation, resources, coordination and system management.
The new guide brings together the different elements that make up a reception model. It is organised around three main areas: governance of reception systems, organisation of the reception model, and management of the reception system. Across these areas, it sets out key considerations and guiding questions to support national authorities when designing or adapting their reception systems.
Under the Reception Conditions Directive (RCD) 2024, EU Member States have flexibility in how they organise their reception systems, provided that the reception conditions meet the common standards established under EU law. Different approaches can be combined according to national structures, resources, capacities and operational needs. The guide provides an overview of the key elements of reception models, highlighting some of the main approaches available for Member States to consider.
Governance of reception systems involves a range of actors, making clear responsibilities and effective coordination essential for ensuring continuity and quality in reception services. Depending on the national context, responsibilities can be organised through centralised, decentralised or mixed models, with different roles for national authorities, regional and local administrations, specialised agencies and external providers.
Organisation of reception models concerns the different ways in which reception conditions can be organised and delivered. There is a range of possible accommodation and support arrangements, including regular reception centres, screening facilities, facilities for applicants with special reception needs, independent housing and other specialised or temporary arrangements.
Effective management of reception systems requires reception authorities to anticipate changes in demand and ensure that sufficient financial, human and material resources are available. Tools such as forecasting, scenario modelling and capacity-informed budgeting can help authorities plan for different levels of arrivals while maintaining reception standards and managing resources.
Various approaches can be used to manage reception facilities, including direct management by public authorities, indirect management through external providers, and using mixed management models.
Integrated data and case management systems can support continuity and coordination throughout the reception and asylum processes. Effective information management can facilitate the exchange of relevant information between authorities and service providers, while ensuring data protection and confidentiality. By bringing together practical experience from across EU+ countries, the Practical Guide on Reception Models provides national authorities with a framework to consider the different components of their reception systems and how these can be organised to respond to their specific context, needs and operational constraints.
Background
The Agency’s practical guides and tools help increase the knowledge and technical skills of asylum practitioners across the EU. While not legally binding on Member States, asylum practitioners consider them to be soft law instruments, which are primarily for use by EU+ national authorities but are also often referred to by civil society organisations and by national judiciary bodies. Therefore, they are commonly developed by – and agreed with – members of the EUAA’s thematic networks and are subsequently adopted by the EUAA Management Board.