The Schengen Agreement

Concluded in Schengen (Luxembourg) in 1985, this agreement is aimed at the gradual removal of controls at internal frontiers between the Member States. There is also a further agreement on arrangements for processing asylum applications and cross-border cooperation between police forces. The original 1990 target date for opening up the borders for travellers had to be put back several times. Once the ‘Schengen Information System’ (SIS) had been set up to help in the fight against cross-border crime, the complete removal of border controls was agreed on 26 March 1995 – initially between seven EU countries (Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). Italy, Greece and Austria followed later. As of 25 March 2001 the Treaty is also effective in the Nordic countries (EU members Denmark, Sweden and Finland, along with non-EU members Norway and Iceland.) The United Kingdom and Ireland are not party to the Schengen Agreement (see: justice and home affairs).

• No personal controls at internal borders. Stricter controls at external borders, including ports and airports.
• Visa and residence policy partially harmonised. Uniform visa for all Schengen countries. Common asylum policy.
• Co-operation between police forces ‘Schengen information system’ (SIS) - common computerised investigation and information system. Hot pursuit arrangements to allow police forces to pursue suspects across borders.