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Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the… Article 2

Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the… Article 2

Scope

Article 2

1.   This Directive applies to third-country nationals staying illegally on the territory of a Member State. 2.   Member States may decide not to apply this Directive to third-country nationals who: (a) are subject to a refusal of entry in accordance with Article 13 of the Schengen Borders Code, or who are apprehended or intercepted by the competent authorities in connection with the irregular crossing by land, sea or air of the external border of a Member State and who have not subsequently obtained an authorisation or a right to stay in that Member State; (b) are subject to return as a criminal law sanction or as a consequence of a criminal law sanction, according to national law, or who are the subject of extradition procedures. 3.   This Directive shall not apply to persons enjoying the Community right of free movement as defined in Article 2(5) of the Schengen Borders Code.

Read the full instrument → · Read this in context: CHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS →

Other provisions in CHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗ · Data as of 2026-07-04

CitationArticle 2 of Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the… (LawPlayer, data as of 2026-07-04)

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