EU Urges Nine Schengen Countries to Lift Internal Border Checks
Written with artificial intelligence.
The European Commission has called on nine Schengen countries, including France and Germany, to phase out internal border checks that have been in place for years. This recommendation is part of an effort to enhance migration management and improve border oversight with systems like the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
EU's Recommendation for Border Control Reforms
On Tuesday, the European Commission urged nine Schengen countries—France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, and The Netherlands—to gradually eliminate internal border checks. These checks, reintroduced in various countries for security reasons over the past years, are deemed unnecessary due to new migration regulations and enhanced border management tools.
Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, stated that the EU is implementing significant reforms in its migration management system, including modern border management systems. The Commission believes that with the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), member states can safely remove these internal controls.
Legal Context and Current Situation
Under EU law, Schengen countries can impose internal border checks during serious public policy or security threats, with checks limited to a two-year duration unless extended. Germany, for instance, has maintained some level of border control since 2015, which has reportedly led to difficulties for cross-border communities, particularly affecting workers at the German-Luxembourgish, German-Polish, and German-Dutch borders.
The Commission has emphasized the importance of alternative measures to replace internal checks, such as mobile biometric identification and non-systematic police checks, to mitigate impacts on cross-border commuters.
Looking Ahead
The EES, which fully became operational in April 2023, aims to streamline border checks by digitizing entry and exit records for non-EU nationals. ETIAS, set to launch by the end of 2026, will require short-term travelers to register and pay a fee before entering the Schengen area. These systems are expected to improve monitoring of border crossings significantly.
The recommendation does not apply to Switzerland, which has reinstated border checks until June 19 due to the G7 summit. As the EU continues to adapt its border policies, the focus remains on enhancing both security and the free movement of individuals within the Schengen zone.