In a move to strengthen border control and national security, the Norwegian government has presented a proposal to implement the EU’s "Screening Regulation" into national law.
The regulation, which is a key part of the broader EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, aims to combat irregular migration and prevent "secondary migration" between Schengen countries.
"Immigration to Norway should be controlled, fair, and sustainable," said Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen in a press release. "Everyone staying in Norway should have their identity clarified. This provides security for both individuals and society."
What the new screening involves
Under the proposal, the police will carry out mandatory checks at the borders, on any "third-country national" (citizens from outside the EU/EEA) who has not undergone full border control upon arrival in the Schengen area.
The screening process includes verifying a person’s identity and conducting a security assessment, which involves cross-referencing Norwegian registers with EU, Interpol, and Europol databases to flag potential risks.
Authorities will also conduct health and vulnerability checks to determine if an individual needs basic healthcare or should be isolated for public health reasons.
Because these procedures can take several days (up to seven days) individuals must remain available to the authorities at a designated screening location until the process is complete.
The Ministry of Justice noted that many of these procedures already exist in Norway, but the new law will "strengthen and streamline" the process.
Minister Aas-Hansen added that there have been major challenges in returning people without legal residence in Norway, and the Labour government is taking steps to ensure faster deportation for those who should not be in the country.
The proposal now moves to the Parliament for debate and formal adoption.
What is the EU Migration and Asylum Pact?
The EU's new agreement on asylum and migration is a major reform designed to update the current system.
Even though Norway is a non-EU member, it is a member of the Schengen Area and shares borders with other member states.
To keep these borders open for travellers, Norway must follow the same security and migration rules as the rest of the EU.
The pact is built on four pillars.
The first pillar focuses on secure external borders through the mandatory screening currently being proposed in Norway. It uses the Eurodac biometric database to identify arrivals and streamline the return of those ineligible for protection.
The second pillar ensures fast and efficient procedures by harmonising asylum rules and reception standards across Europe, clarifying which country is responsible for each specific application.
The third pillar creates a system of solidarity and responsibility, allowing member states to support other countries through financial aid or relocation to prevent "secondary movements" between nations.
Finally, the fourth pillar embeds migration in international partnerships, working with non-EU countries to combat smuggling while promoting legal migration routes through initiatives like the EU Talent Pool.
The government has previously submitted a proposal to implement several other legal acts that are part of the EU's migration and asylum regulatory package and that will apply to Norway; the Eurodac Regulation 2024, the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) and the Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation.
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