Detention Pending Removal and Alternatives to Detention in Austria

Detention in migration procedures is a measure of last resort, which may only be applied if a less coercive measure cannot be applied effectively. This study sheds light on detention pending removal and alternatives to detention in Austria. In Austria, detention pending removal can only be imposed on individuals where the purpose of detention (i.e. securing the procedure for issuing a measure to terminate a residence permit) cannot be achieved by means of an alternative. The publication explains the legal basis for the alternatives, analyzes current statistics, and addresses benefits as well as challenges associated with the use of alternatives to detention. It also looks at health care, support services, consideration of vulnerable groups, and the complaint process.