Creation of the National Reception Office (ONA) and the Integration Department

The law of 4 December 2019 establishing the National Reception Office (ONA) places the reception of applicants for international protection (AIPs) under the jurisdiction of the Minister Jean Asselborn, as the Minister of Immigration and Asylum.

With the entry of the law into force on 1 January 2020, the ONA reports to the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The ONA replaces the Luxembourg Office for Reception and Integration (OLAI).

The 2018-2023 coalition agreement provides that "in order to offer dignified reception, applicants for international protection (AIPs) have to be able to turn to one source - in this case the Ministry in charge of immigration in its remits - throughout the processing of applications for international protection, as well as for all aspects of reception, such as accommodation and material conditions".

The coalition agreement also states that integration is at the heart of government action. For this reason, an "Integration Department" has been created within the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region, under the authority of the Minister Corinne Cahen, Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, in order to promote vivre-ensemble (living together) in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to be able to focus even more on this vivre-ensemble and the integration of all.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region, and the National Reception Office (ONA)