Regulation on screening of third-country nationals enters into force

The regulation reflects the EU Screening Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 and establishes how third-country nationals are screened at Iceland's external borders and, where applicable, within the country before they enter the appropriate immigration, asylum or return procedure.

The screening process includes identity verification, security checks, a health assessment, a preliminary assessment of vulnerability, the collection of biometric data in Eurodac (where required), completion of a screening form, and referral of the person to the appropriate procedure or authority. The purpose is to gather the information needed to determine the next legal steps.

The regulation assigns roles and responsibilities to the police, the Directorate of Immigration, the authority responsible for reception services, and healthcare professionals. The police decide who is subject to screening, carry out identity and security checks, register biometric data, and provide initial information. 

The Directorate of Immigration ensures that screening information is available to the person concerned and refers the case to the appropriate procedure after screening. Reception authorities carry out the preliminary assessment of vulnerability, while licensed healthcare professionals conduct health screening.

According to the legislation, screening must be completed without delay and within the time limits set by the EU Screening Regulation. It may take place at a reception centre, border crossing point, police station or another location designated by the police. During screening, the person must remain available and may be required to report regularly or stay at a specified place. These measures end once screening is completed or the legal time limit expires.

The regulation sets out detailed rules for identity checks, security checks, health screening and vulnerability assessments. Health screening focuses on urgent medical needs, communicable diseases, mental health disorders and other vulnerabilities. Children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or, if unaccompanied, a child protection representative, unless this would not be in the child's best interests.

After screening, the case is referred to the appropriate procedure, such as an asylum procedure, a responsibility determination procedure under the AMMR, or a return procedure. The regulation also requires cooperation between the authorities, appropriate staff training, respect for fundamental rights and human dignity, and lawful processing of personal data. It entered into force on 11 June 2026.