Resettlement and humanitarian admission in the context of the European Union refer to the transfer of vulnerable refugees from host third countries to EU Member States and Associated Countries (also known as EU+ countries) where they will be  admitted and granted international protection or other legal status.

These programmes are an important part of the global response to conflict, persecution, and humanitarian crises. In the EU, resettlement and humanitarian admission are implemented through two main streams: the EU Resettlement Framework (URF) and national resettlement or humanitarian admission programmes run by individual EU+ countries.   

Resettlement under a national scheme

National admission procedures are organised by individual EU+ countries according to their national legislation and operational practices.
These procedures generally include referral, identification, selection, pre-departure orientation, travel, reception, and integration-related support measures.

Resettlement under the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework:

The Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework (URF) establish a common EU framework for resettlement and humanitarian admission procedures.
The implementation of the URF requires the adoption by the Council of a two-year Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admissions Plan (Union Plan) indicating the maximum total number of persons to be admitted, details about Member States participation and their share of that number, as well as the overall geographical priorities

The procedure follows a structured process from referral and assessment to conclusion-making and travel to the country of resettlement