New rules on the processing of applications for international protection enter into force

Amendments to the Foreign Nationals Act and the Police Act, adopted by the Icelandic Parliament (Althingi) on 11 June, entered into force on 1 July. The amendments implement selected provisions of European Union legislation in the fields of asylum and migration, in accordance with the agreement between the European Union, Iceland and Norway.

In addition, the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR), the Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation, the Screening Regulation for third-country nationals, and the Regulation governing the European fingerprint database, Eurodac, have recently entered into force.

AMMR cooperation

One of the most significant changes is that the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) has replaced the Dublin III Regulation. Like the Dublin system, the AMMR establishes rules for determining which State is responsible for examining an application for international protection. The main principle remains unchanged: responsibility generally lies with the State through which the applicant first entered the participating area.

However, the responsibility criteria have been clarified, and responsibility remains with the same State for a longer period. The new rules also introduce shorter deadlines and simpler procedures, helping to make the process more efficient.

Information on the processing of applications for international protection is available on the International Protection – Rights and the application procedure section of this website.

You can read more on AMMR in the information brochure What you need to know about the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation.