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1. Where the determining authority deems it relevant for the examination of an application for international protection, it shall, subject to the applicant’s consent, request a medical examination of the applicant concerning signs and symptoms that might indicate past persecution or serious harm and be informed of results thereof.

2. In the case of a minor, the medical examination shall only be carried out where the parent, the adult responsible for him or her whether by the law or practice of the Member State concerned, the representative or the person referred to in Article 23(2), point (a), and, where provided for by national law, the applicant, consent. The medical examination shall be free of charge for the applicant and be paid for from public funds. Where applicable, the health and vulnerability checks referred to in Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 may be taken into account for the medical examination referred to in this Article.

3. Where no medical examination is carried out in accordance with paragraph 1, the determining authority shall inform applicants that they may, on their own initiative and at their own cost, arrange for a medical examination concerning signs and symptoms that might indicate past persecution or serious harm.

4. The results of the medical examinations referred to in paragraphs 1 or 3 shall be submitted to the determining authority and to the applicant as soon as possible and shall be assessed by the determining authority along with the other elements of the application.

5. The medical examination shall be the least invasive possible and be performed only by qualified medical professionals. It shall be performed in a way that respects the individual’s dignity.

6. An applicant’s refusal to undergo a medical examination or a decision to undergo a medical examination on his or her own initiative, where such an examination does not take place within a suitable timeframe taking into account the availability of appointments for medical examinations in the Member State responsible, shall not prevent the determining authority from taking a decision on the application for international protection.