Guardianship systems for unaccompanied children in the European Union

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified by all EU Member States, obliges states to ensure the protection of children who are without parental care. This right to protection expands to any child, no matter the nationality or residence status, if found in the territory of a state that is party to the convention.

Assigning a guardian to support the child is a key element of that protection. The guardian should ensure that the child receives appropriate accommodation, goes to school and has access to a doctor. The guardian should also ensure that the best interests of the child are considered at all moments, including when making decisions about the future of the child, and should represent
the child in any administrative or judicial proceeding.

This report focuses on key developments since 2014 as regards guardianship provisions for unaccompanied children from non-EU countries. It supplements and updates information on guardianship provided by earlier FRA publications issued in 2014 and 2015.

EPI as a FRA partner from North Macedonia contributed to this report.