Abstract
The increase in the arrival of unaccompanied minors to Europe rises as a new challenge for the local authorities responsible for the reception. The comparison of two cross-border regions shows the possibility of transferring successful practices between European states. According to the stages of this migratory flow, the weaknesses and the strengths of the child care systems' responses are analysed, as well as the strategies minors share to improve their settlement options in the local host societies. It is concluded that the diversity of local institutional responses to this migration is a factor that increases the vulnerability of minors. Therefore, a harmonisation of European legislation on international protection of migrant children becomes necessary.