On 14 June 1985, representatives of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement in the municipality of the same name located in Luxembourg at the border with France and Germany. The agreement provided for the gradual abolition of checks on identity papers at the borders between the 5 countries. In time, it was gradually joined by another countries, including non-EU countries specified as Switzerland and Norway.
A task of historical importance
The Schengen Agreement initiated a historic, almost revolutionary project: freedom of movement across borders on a continent marked by multiple wars and hostility. For most Europeans, crossing borders without presenting a passport has since become obvious.
Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen area in early 2025. Currently, the region includes 29 countries – 25 EU countries and 4 another countries. EU Members, Ireland and Cyprus only apply part of the agreement.
According to EU data, 450 million people live in the Schengen area. all day, around 3.5 million people cross national borders in this area. Even 32 million companies are expected to benefit from faster transport routes, lower costs and higher trade.
Closing borders
In fresh years, however, reality has frequently looked different. erstwhile hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing their countries across the Mediterranean or the Balkans attempted to enter the Schengen area in 2015, respective countries, including Germany, restored border controls. The checks were renewed respective times despite warnings from Brussels. After the decrease in the number of refugees, Germany, France and another countries justified controls with "terrorist threat".
The coronavirus pandemic besides led to border closures in almost the full Schengen area. erstwhile they were gradually abolished, Germany extended border controls with Austria and extended them to another countries on respective occasions. In 2023 Berlin ordered stationary inspections at land borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, followed by all neighbouring countries.
In May this year, the German government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz ordered even more stringent border controls. This means that Germany has been conducting border controls in the Schengen area, with varying intensity, for 10 years.
Under the Schengen Borders Code, a associate State may reintroduce border controls only in the case of "exceptional circumstances", only "temporary" and "in the final". In more than 470 cases, associate States have abandoned the basic rule of unlimited freedom of movement since 2006, as shown by the current list of the European Commission.
Loss for All Parties
The Commission may reprimand associate States, but has no veto. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner said on Friday (13 June) at the gathering of EU Home Affairs Ministers in Luxembourg, referring to the regular extension of controls: "This evidently has to end".
Border checks have different effects. In any cases larger traffic jams are created during the vacation season. While crossing the border by train, the sight of German police officers became everyday. Luxembourg interior minister Léon Gloden said on Friday that commuters were standing due to German border controls in traffic jams for up to 4 hours. In Germany, little Luxemburgers store now. 'This is simply a failure for both countries', said Gloden.
In addition to reproving associate States, the European Union is trying to minimise distortions, at least for EU citizens, by stepping up controls at the external borders. The launch of the electronic entry strategy into the Schengen area of the EES is planned (after years of delays) for October. On the another hand, the European Travel Information strategy (ETIAS) is due to be implemented in late 2026.
Meeting without German participation
During the Friday gathering in Luxembourg, EU Home Ministers discussed the situation and future of the Schengen area, debating little than 30 kilometres from where the agreement was signed. However, 1 liable for the permanent emergency of this historical project, German Home Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), did not come to Luxembourg. Instead, he attended a conference of German Home Ministers in Bremerhaven.
Meanwhile, during the gathering in Luxembourg, Germany's intensified border controls were criticised. "We are against these controls, the controls are against the Schengen spirit," said Luxembourg interior minister Léon Gloden. He hoped that the European Commission, "as guardian of the treaties, would now show its teeth." Luxembourg remains with the view that border checks must be "removed as shortly as possible".
In February Luxembourg lodged a complaint with the European Commission on the extension of German border controls. However, Gloden said that his country would not initiate proceedings before the European Court of Justice.
Poland besides warns
Polish Minister of the Interior Tomasz Siemoniak warned against "lost" achievements, which are open interior borders. "We would like to emphasise powerfully that we do not agree to interior controls," said Siemoniak. Spanish Home Minister Fernando Gómez warned that checks should stay the exception and "have only a temporary character".
On the another hand, French head of MSW Bruno Retaileau showed knowing of the fact that "Germany must show its citizens more determination". He suggested to his German colleague Alexander Dobrindt to organize joint patrols. He added that this should not lead to difficulties for commuters or "decent" people travelling from 1 country to another.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Brunner said that the Commission is "everyday" and "intensely" discussing this with the associate States. However, the Commission must besides do its "housework" and "order this European home so that associate States no longer gotta carry out interior border controls".
