Annual Policy Report 2020

The Annual Policy Report 2020 provides an overview of migration and asylum-related developments and debates in Austria. A main development in 2020 was the inauguration of a new Federal Government, ushering in changes in migration and asylum policy, as outlined in the Government Programme 2020–2024. The recently established Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services took over responsibility as of 1 December 2020 for administrating material reception conditions to applicants of international protection under federal care. Overall, developments in 2020 were driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and related mobility restrictions. For example, to ensure a continued food supply as well as to cover the demand for nursing services, special arrangements were found for certain key workers in agriculture or in medical and care services to allow entry to Austria and to facilitate the renewal and issue of work permits.