Denmark adopts legislation to implement key aspects of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

On 1 September 2026, the Parliament of Denmark adopted an amending act to implement key parts of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in Denmark, with particular focus on screening, the asylum border procedure and the border return procedure. It introduces a national framework for the EU Screening Regulation, requiring third-country nationals covered by the Regulation to undergo screening and, during screening, to remain at a location designated by the Danish Immigration Service. It also allows Denmark, in specified circumstances, to apply the asylum border procedure for up to 6 months, renewable for further 6-month periods. 

Applicants subject to the procedure are not considered to have entered Denmark and must remain at a designated location while their asylum claim is examined by the Danish Immigration Service. Decisions may be appealed to the Refugee Board, including the possibility to request a suspensive effect. 

When an application is rejected under the asylum border procedure, the act links the case to the EU border return procedure, under which the Danish Repatriation Agency sets a departure deadline. The amendments also introduce additional provisions related to detention and identification procedures, including additional categories for Eurodac data collection, such as fingerprints and facial photographs.