Background information
The applicant is obliged to inform the competent authorities of their current address and any changes thereof, so that they can be contacted by the authorities (159).
Moreover, depending on your national set-up, authorities may also decide on the applicant’s place of residence (160).
(159) Article 13(2), point (c) APD (recast) ‘Obligations of the applicants’.
(160) Article 7(2) RCD (recast) ‘Residence and freedom of movement’.
Explain these messages to the applicant during the registration/lodging, personal interview and notification stage:
- Although the applicant may move freely within the territory of the Member State, or within an area assigned to them by the Member State, the applicant must inform the competent authorities of their current address and of any changes thereof as soon as possible so that the authorities can reach them. This is very important because if the applicant is not reachable, it may be considered as a failure to appear before the authorities.
- Authorities may decide on the residence of the applicant or put restrictions on where the applicant may move.
Practical tip: remind the applicant about the obligation to provide their contact details at different stages
- Remind the applicant about their obligation to communicate their current address to the authorities. Verify the address with them during the interview. This might also be relevant at the notification stage, if in direct contact with the applicant.
- Inform/remind the applicant that it is also in the interest of the applicant to keep the authorities informed about their current address, as this makes it possible to provide them with relevant and updated information regarding the application.