Schengen Area

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The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. The Schengen Area was established in 1995, and it is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement.

History

The Schengen Agreement was signed on June 14, 1985, near the village of Schengen, Luxembourg, by five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community (EEC). The agreement proposed the gradual abolition of border checks at the signatories' common borders. It was followed by the Schengen Convention in 1990, which proposed the abolition of internal border controls and a common visa policy.

The Schengen Area was officially established in 1995, initially comprising seven countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Over the years, the area has expanded to include most EU countries and some non-EU countries.

Member Countries

As of 2023, the Schengen Area includes the following 27 countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Functioning

The Schengen Area operates very much like a single state for international travel purposes, with external border controls for travelers entering and exiting the area, but no internal border controls. This means that once a person is admitted into the Schengen Area, they can travel freely between the member countries without undergoing border checks.

Visa Policy

The Schengen Area has a common visa policy. A Schengen visa, issued by any member state, allows the holder to travel throughout the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business purposes. The visa policy is governed by the Schengen Borders Code and the Visa Code.

Border Control and Security

While internal borders are open, the Schengen Area has strict external border controls. The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale information system that supports external border control and law enforcement cooperation in the Schengen States. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is responsible for coordinating border control efforts.

Challenges and Criticisms

The Schengen Area has faced several challenges, particularly related to security and migration. The 2015 European migrant crisis put significant pressure on the Schengen system, leading some countries to temporarily reintroduce border controls. Security concerns, such as terrorism, have also led to debates about the effectiveness of the Schengen Area's border policies.

Also see

• European Union
• Schengen Agreement
• Schengen Information System
• Visa policy of the Schengen Area
• European Border and Coast Guard Agency