I was denied entry at the EU border. What are my rights?

What the Law Says

EU law sets clear procedural safeguards for third-country nationals denied entry at external borders. The main rules are in the Schengen Borders Code and the Return Directive, which apply even at the point of entry.

When you are refused entry at an EU external border, border authorities must give you a written decision stating the reasons and your rights. This includes information about how to appeal and the time limit to do so.

You must be offered free interpretation if you don’t understand the language used by the authorities. You also have the right to contact your consulate and to legal assistance — though legal aid is not automatically provided unless detention is prolonged or complex.

If you are detained pending removal or appeal, detention must be proportionate and reviewed regularly. Under EU law, initial detention for entry refusal cannot exceed 24 hours without judicial review.

Statutory Text

The decision refusing entry shall be given in writing and shall state the reasons in fact and in law.

— Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Art. 14(2) — Schengen Borders Code

Statutory Text

The third-country national concerned shall be informed, in a language he or she understands or is reasonably supposed to understand, of the decision refusing entry and of his or her rights.

— Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Art. 14(3) — Schengen Borders Code

Statutory Text

Member States shall provide for the possibility of appealing against the decision refusing entry… within seven days of notification.

— Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Art. 14(5) — Schengen Borders Code

What to Do

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