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Be subject to personal search

Background information

Depending on your national laws and policies, the competent authorities may search the applicant and the items they are carrying (Article 13(2)(a) APD (recast) 'Obligations of the applicants').

Explain these messages to the applicant during the first contact (making) and registration/lodging: 

  • Applicants may be subject to a personal search, including a search of the items they are carrying.
  • The search of their person is to be carried out by a person of the same sex, without prejudice to any search carried out for security reasons.
  • The search will be conducted with full respect for the principles of human dignity and of physical and psychological integrity. Their personal belongings will be handed back to them.