The accelerated procedure

In some cases, the authorities may examine your application for international protection more quickly. This is called an accelerated examination procedure.

This does not mean that your application is less important. The same basic rights and guarantees still apply. However, the authorities may decide your case more quickly if certain conditions are met.

The authorities will inform you if your case is examined in the accelerated procedure. You can also find the type of procedure that applies to your case on the document you received after registration.

On this page, you will find information about when an accelerated procedure may be applied, how long it can take, and what happens next.

When can your application be examined more quickly?

The authorities may use an accelerated procedure if your case appears to be straightforward or if there are specific reasons that allow for a faster decision.

This may happen, for example, if:

• you provide information that is not relevant for deciding whether you need international protection
• your statements are clearly inconsistent, contradictory or not credible

• you have misled the authorities by providing false information or withholding important information (for example about your identity or nationality)
• you applied for international protection only to delay or prevent a return decision
• you come from a country that is considered a safe country of origin
• you may be considered a danger to national security or public order
• you submit a subsequent application that is not inadmissible
• you did not apply for international protection as soon as possible after entering the country
• you stayed irregularly in an EU+ country without contacting the authorities
• your country of origin has a low recognition rate for international protection in the EU

How long will the accelerated procedure take?

If your application is examined in an accelerated procedure, the authorities must take a decision as soon as possible.

In general, the decision should be made no later than three months from the date you lodged your application for international protection. This means that you may receive a decision more quickly than in the standard procedure.

In some cases, if the authorities consider that your case is too complex, they may decide to continue the examination under the standard procedure instead. You will be informed if this happens.

Does this procedure also apply to minors?

For unaccompanied minors, an accelerated procedure can only be applied in limited situations.

For example, this may happen if:

• the minor comes from a safe country of origin
• there are security concerns
• the application is a subsequent application
• false information was intentionally provided
• the country of origin has a low recognition rate

In all cases, the best interests of the child must be taken into account.

What happens after the decision?

After the authorities have examined your application, you will receive a decision.

If your application is rejected, you will receive information about your right to appeal and the next steps.

What happens if your case is too complex?

If your application continues to be examined in detail, it will follow the standard asylum procedure. It is important to understand how this procedure works and what you can expect.