The Draft bill on departure terminal law proposes the introduction of a so-called screening regulation, cf. Regulation (EU) 2024/1356, which is considered a development of the Schengen acquis. The regulation stipulates that certain third-country nationals arriving at the external borders of the Schengen area shall be subject to a specific screening process. This includes, among other things, identification, background checks, a preliminary health assessment and an assessment of whether the person concerned is in a vulnerable situation.
Such measures are already taken in Iceland under the Aliens Act when an individual applies for international protection. However, the Screening Regulation stipulates that the process should also cover those who enter the country illegally without applying for protection and those who stay illegally in the country without having previously been screened upon entry into the Schengen area.
It is proposed that a law be enacted on the detention of foreigners at departure points. A screening regulation will also be introduced that will provide for the screening of third-country nationals at external borders.
The bill stipulates that it will not be permitted to detain unaccompanied children at a departure station. It will therefore only be permitted to detain children at a departure station when they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Legislative proposal: Case No. S-193/2025 Published: 2.10.2025 available at https://island.is/samradsgatt/mal/4078