What the EU does At EU level, effective border management ensures the functioning and security of the Schengen Area, an area without internal borders, where EU citizens, non-EU residents and visitors can travel safely and freely. The Schengen area guarantees free movement to more than 450 million citizens in 29 countries. This unique framework also contributes to the competitiveness of the single market and to the economic growth across the European Union, facilitating seamless movement of people, goods and services. This freedom is part of the European way of life and is highly appreciated by both citizens and companies. Schengen countries work closely together on matters of security and migration. This cooperation includes a common visa policy, joint police operations, and real-time information exchanges between law enforcement agencies as well as procedures to return those with no legal right to stay. Large-scale IT systems, like the Schengen Information System (SIS), play a key role in managing borders. They are designed to help identify threats, while safeguarding fundamental rights, including protection of personal data. Facts about the Schengen area 450 million people live in the Schengen area3.5 million people cross internal borders everyday32 million enterprises in the Schengen area benefit from faster transportation, reduced costs and boosted trade volume Areas of actionExternal border managementRules for crossing the EU’s external borders, including the types of required visas, procedures for issuing and checking visas, and security checks at the borderApplying for a Schengen visaConditions for entry into the Schengen areaTravel document requirementsRules on the documents needed for movement within the Schengen areaCross-border police cooperationMechanisms enabling cooperation amongst law enforcement authoritiesSchengen governanceA framework ensuring the effective functioning of the Schengen area Key achievements In 2025, the EU celebrates the 40th anniversary of Schengen. 29 countries (25 EU countries and 4 associated) are full members of the Schengen area without internal frontiers where 450 million people can travel without passport control. It helps millions of people who cross borders daily and 32 million enterprises who may benefit from easier access to the internal market.Shifting border controls to our common external borders has reduced paperwork, waiting times and costs. It has fundamentally transformed how people live, work and travel for the better.Reducing barriers internally was accompanied by increased cooperation between police forces, customs authorities and external border control authorities, helping to make Europe more secure and reinforcing our external borders and managing migration more effectively. This is essential to fight terrorism, organised crime and hybrid threats.Schengen Information System (SIS) is the most widely used and largest information sharing system for security and border management in Europe and allows authorities to share and access security alerts in real time across Schengen.Schengen is a major driver of competitiveness and a true enabler of the single market. Since workers and goods can move freely, companies are able to reduce administrative costs and access larger markets at the same time.The same goes for the tourism and cultural sectors. Schengen simplifies travel, making Europe an even more attractive tourist destination. For example, visitors coming from non-Schengen countries can access all Schengen 29 countries with just one Schengen visa. This in turn directly benefits revenues for local businesses and economies. In focus 2026 State of the Schengen reportThe Schengen area enables more than 450 million EU citizens to travel, work, study and live freely across borders while supporting trade, tourism and freedom of movement of goods.The 2026 State of the Schengen report highlights significant achievements during the past year in the area. Illegal border crossings decreased in 2025, compared to 2024. While joint efforts ensured more effective returns of persons without a right to stay in the EU.To ensure Schengen’s continued resilience in today’s geopolitical environment, priorities for the year ahead include the continued implementation of the new Entry-Exit System (EES), fully launched in April 2026, and strengthening operational capabilities and tools to support returns. Work will also continue on reinforcing common governance of the Schengen area. Latest news News article22 May 2026Commission launches EUR 16.5 million call to dismantle criminal networks2 min readNews article21 May 2026Integration at Local Level: EUR 77 Million under AMIF Specific Action 2 min readSee all Events 06Dec2024Conferences and summitsYouth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Brunner on Schengen, security, and migrationCommissioner Magnus Brunner will engage in a discussion on Schengen with students from Germany, Luxembourg and France, including some with migrant background from Ukraine and Syria.30Jan2025Conferences and summitsEMN Spain National Conference: Integration and inclusion of migrant women: reality, challenges and opportunitiesEMN Spain is hosting a conference to discuss the challenges faced by migrant women in Spain and other Member states. This event will focus on issues such as access to the labour market and housing, and will include testimonies from several migrant women sharing their experiences.See all Related links Directorate-General for Migration and Home AffairsSchengen area This page was last updated on 18 May 2026
At EU level, effective border management ensures the functioning and security of the Schengen Area, an area without internal borders, where EU citizens, non-EU residents and visitors can travel safely and freely. The Schengen area guarantees free movement to more than 450 million citizens in 29 countries. This unique framework also contributes to the competitiveness of the single market and to the economic growth across the European Union, facilitating seamless movement of people, goods and services. This freedom is part of the European way of life and is highly appreciated by both citizens and companies. Schengen countries work closely together on matters of security and migration. This cooperation includes a common visa policy, joint police operations, and real-time information exchanges between law enforcement agencies as well as procedures to return those with no legal right to stay.
External border managementRules for crossing the EU’s external borders, including the types of required visas, procedures for issuing and checking visas, and security checks at the border
News article22 May 2026Commission launches EUR 16.5 million call to dismantle criminal networks2 min read
News article21 May 2026Integration at Local Level: EUR 77 Million under AMIF Specific Action 2 min read
06Dec2024Conferences and summitsYouth Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Brunner on Schengen, security, and migrationCommissioner Magnus Brunner will engage in a discussion on Schengen with students from Germany, Luxembourg and France, including some with migrant background from Ukraine and Syria.
30Jan2025Conferences and summitsEMN Spain National Conference: Integration and inclusion of migrant women: reality, challenges and opportunitiesEMN Spain is hosting a conference to discuss the challenges faced by migrant women in Spain and other Member states. This event will focus on issues such as access to the labour market and housing, and will include testimonies from several migrant women sharing their experiences.
