Author
Children under the age of 14 cannot be detained. Therefore, families with young children are confined / apprehended (see above, Grounds for detention) for 72 hours prior to their forced return. In general, children over the age of 14 should not be detained and alternatives to detention should apply for minors over the age of 14.[1] In 2023, seven unaccompanied minors were detained for an average time of 9.8 days (2022: 11.6).[2]
Unaccompanied or separated children who are awaiting or undergoing age assessment are not detained, but accommodated at the UAM reception centres of the BBU.
[1] Article 77(1) FPG.
[2] Ministry of Interior, Answer to parliamentary request 13098/AB XXVII. GP, 9 March 2023, available in German at https://bit.ly/3ABQ7Aq; Ministry of Interior, Answer to parliamentary request 15846/AB, XXVII. GP, 21 November 2024, available in German at: https://shorturl.at/Ng89b.