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Currently, the “EU Data Protection Directive” makes it very difficult to legally obtain criminal background information and other sensitive personal information for European Union citizens. Issues with enforced subject access and unauthorized access to personal records are also present. You may request that an applicant provide a copy of their Police Certificate, which they can request directly from the appropriate authority. However, you must consider the risk of enforced subject access. There is talk that EU countries may try to implement a system similar to the Criminal Record Bureau’s Disclosure process. At this time, however, no solid information is available.