Screening Regulation

Purpose

The Screening Regulation introduces mandatory screening of third-country nationals who cross the external Schengen borders in an unauthorised manner, as well as third-country nationals staying illegally in Denmark who have not been subject to border checks at the external borders.

The purpose of the screening is to identify persons who may pose a threat to internal security or public health, as well as persons in need of healthcare or persons in a vulnerable situation. Screening at the external border must be completed within seven days, while screening within Denmark must be completed within three days.

Who is subject to screening?

Third-country nationals who have crossed the external Schengen border illegally and have not been subject to border checks at the external borders are subject to the screening requirement. This also applies if the person is detained or remanded in custody.

A third-country national who entered legally or has already undergone screening in another Member State will not be screened in Denmark.

What does the screening involve?

The screening consists of four mandatory elements:

• Security check
• Identification or verification of identity
• Health check
• Vulnerability check

If you are subject to the screening requirement, the police are responsible for carrying out a security check and identifying you or verifying your identity when they encounter you.

You must provide the police with your name, date of birth and nationality and present any documents and information that the police need to verify your identity. Your biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) must also be collected. Biometric data will not be collected from children under the age of 6.

Once the police have carried out the security check and identified you or verified your identity, you will, as a general rule, be accommodated at a screening facility, where you will undergo a mandatory health and vulnerability check. The health and vulnerability check is carried out to identify whether you are in need of healthcare, whether you have a disease that may require you to be placed in isolation, and whether you have any vulnerabilities. The two checks are carried out consecutively.

As a general rule, the screening may take up to three days from your first contact with the police.

Screening facility

When you are to undergo a health and vulnerability check, you will, as a general rule, be accommodated at a screening facility located at Reception Centre Sandholm or Children's Centre Sandholm (for unaccompanied minors). Read more about asylum centres, including centres with screening facilities [link to: Terms and definitions – Asylum centres].

If you are detained or remanded in custody, the screening will instead be carried out in a remand prison or another institution operated by the Danish Prison and Probation Service.

During your stay at the screening facility, you will be provided for by the Danish Immigration Service. This means that the Danish Immigration Service will cover the costs of your maintenance, necessary healthcare services and accommodation, provided that you are not serving a prison sentence or otherwise deprived of your liberty.

Obligation to remain available during your stay at the screening facility

You are required to remain available to the authorities during the screening. This means that you must participate in the mandatory checks and provide the information that the authorities need to identify you. You are also required to stay at the location designated by the authorities and, once a day on all weekdays, report your presence to the Danish Immigration Service at the screening facility.

Completion of the screening and next steps

The screening is completed once you have undergone the mandatory checks or when the three-day time limit expires. Once the screening has been completed, you will receive a letter from the Danish Immigration Service referring you to either an asylum procedure or a return procedure.

Further information

Read the Screening Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1356)

Download the Danish Immigration Service's leaflet on screening (PDF)