We presented and discussed our research findings on the impact of the reform of the Common European Asylum System and its implications for practice, policy and research at the second World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health, which took place from 2 to 5 September 2025 at the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.

Our analysis shows: While the EU requirements set an overarching framework, they require transposition into national law and further local operationalisation. To effectively identify and address special protection needs of refugees, close cooperation is necessary between many actors, including medical care, social work, the public health service, and the reception and border authorities. Different responsibilities, understandings of roles, and divergent attitudes towards systematic procedures, information exchange, and data protection have so far prevented the development of a shared understanding of suitable strategies. Accordingly, implementation at the national and local levels remains inconsistent. Following the CEAS reform, member states should clearly define the roles and mandates of those involved and establish equity-oriented, structured procedures to reliably recognise and address special protection needs.