Judgment_paragraph 80 · European Commission v Hungary (C-821/19)

80First, contrary to Hungary’s submissions, a third-country national or stateless person is an applicant for international protection within the meaning of that provision as soon as he or she makes such an application (judgment of 17 December 2020, Commission v Hungary (Reception of applicants for international protection), C‑808/18, EU:C:2020:1029, paragraph 100 and the case-law cited). Second, Article 8(2) and Article 22(1) of Directive 2013/32 must be interpreted as also ensuring that assistance may be given for the purpose of lodging such an application. In addition to the fact that Directive 2013/32 aims to ensure effective, easy and rapid access to the procedure for international protection, including as early as the making of the application for international protection (see, in that regard, judgment of 17 December 2020, Commission v Hungary (Reception of applicants for international protection), C‑808/18, EU:C:2020:1029, paragraphs 104 to 106), it is apparent from a combined reading of Article 8(1) and (2) of Directive 2013/32 that assistance provided at border crossing points is intended, inter alia, to facilitate the lodging of an application for international protection by third-country nationals or stateless persons at those border crossing points. Furthermore, Article 22(1) of that directive expressly enshrines the right to consult an adviser at all stages of the procedure.