Schengen at 40: Challenges and transformations for Europe's border-free zone

Four decades ago, a small town in Luxembourg became the birthplace of one of the world’s most ambitious border-free initiatives—the Schengen Agreement. Signed on June 14, 1985, by five European countries, the agreement sought to dismantle internal border checks and enable seamless travel across participating nations. Over the years, Schengen has evolved into a cornerstone of European integration, though not without its challenges.

The origins of Schengen

Long before the Schengen Agreement, regional free movement pacts existed in Europe, such as the Benelux Union and the Nordic Passport Union. The idea gained further momentum in 1984 when France and West Germany signed the Saarbrücken Accord to reduce border checks. The following year, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany formalized the Schengen Agreement aboard the Princess Marie-Astrid, a boat moored on the Moselle River at the Luxembourg border.

At the time, the agreement operated outside the European Economic Community (EEC) framework, with countries like Italy and Greece excluded due to concerns over lax immigration policies. Over the years, Schengen was integrated into the European Union’s legal framework, notably through the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997.

Schengen today: A vast, interconnected area

The Schengen area now includes 25 of the EU’s 27 member states, as well as four non-EU nations—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Recent expansions saw Romania and Bulgaria join on January 1, 2025, with Cyprus set to follow in 2026. Ireland remains outside the zone due to its Common Travel Area agreement with the UK.

Spanning over 4.5 million square kilometers and home to nearly 450 million people, the Schengen area facilitates the daily movement of millions. Around 3.5 million people cross internal borders daily for work, study, or leisure, and 1.7 million residents live in one Schengen country while working in another.

Purpose and structure

At its core, the Schengen Agreement eliminated internal borders to promote free movement while bolstering external border controls. Tools like the Schengen Information System (SIS) enable member states to share data on security risks, while agencies such as Frontex and Europol support border management and law enforcement. Additionally, Schengen introduced a unified visa that allows short-term travel across the zone.

Non-EU citizens from visa-required countries can apply for a Schengen visa, which permits stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Meanwhile, citizens from visa-exempt countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, can travel freely for the same duration without a visa.

Persistent border checks

Despite its borderless vision, Schengen allows temporary reinstatement of internal border controls under specific circumstances, such as security threats or major events. These measures, governed by the Schengen Borders Code, are meant to be exceptional and short-term, typically lasting no more than six months, though they can be extended to two years in extraordinary cases.

Currently, several countries, including Germany, France, Austria, and Sweden, have reintroduced internal border checks, citing reasons such as terrorism, migration pressures, and public health crises. Although such measures disrupt the free movement principle, recent rule reforms aim to minimize their impact and enhance police cooperation in border regions.

The future of Schengen

Digital transformation is set to redefine Schengen’s operations. The introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled for October after multiple delays, will digitize border management. This system will record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals, ensuring compliance with the 90-day rule and enhancing security. To address concerns over processing delays, the EES rollout will be phased, allowing countries to suspend checks if issues arise.

Following EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require visa-exempt non-EU travelers to obtain travel authorization before entering the Schengen zone. Valid for three years, ETIAS aims to bolster security while streamlining entry processes.

As Schengen turns 40, its achievements in fostering European unity are undeniable, but its challenges—from migration pressures to digital revolution—underscore the need for adaptability and resilience in the face of a changing world.