What Is the Eu Schengen Agreement
The EU Schengen Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union that comprises of 27 member states. One of the most significant achievements of the EU is the Schengen Agreement, which created a borderless area within Europe. This agreement facilitates the free movement of people, goods, and services within the Schengen Area. In this article, we will explore the details of the Schengen Agreement and what it means for EU citizens and travelers.
What is the Schengen Agreement?
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on June 14, 1985, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community (EEC). The treaty was named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg where it was signed. The initial signatories were France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Today, the Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have agreed to abolish border controls between them.
What countries are in the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area comprises 26 countries, including 22 EU member states and four non-EU countries. The countries are:
1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. Latvia
14. Liechtenstein
15. Lithuania
16. Luxembourg
17. Malta
18. Netherlands
19. Norway
20. Poland
21. Portugal
22. Slovakia
23. Slovenia
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Switzerland
What are the benefits of the Schengen Agreement?
The Schengen Agreement has many benefits for both EU citizens and travelers. The most significant benefit is the freedom of movement. Citizens of the Schengen Area can travel without the need for a passport or visa within the Schengen Area. This means they can cross the borders of other Schengen countries without undergoing border checks.
For travelers, the Schengen Agreement makes traveling within Europe more accessible and more comfortable. Travelers can visit multiple countries without the need to obtain a new visa or go through border checks. This convenience encourages more tourism and trade between the Schengen countries.
How does the Schengen Agreement work?
The Schengen Agreement works by abolishing border controls between the Schengen countries. Instead, there are external border controls at the Schengen Area`s outer borders. EU citizens are free to travel between any Schengen country without the need for a passport or visa. Non-EU citizens can travel to any Schengen country with a Schengen visa, which allows them to visit all the Schengen countries.
However, it is important to note that the Schengen Agreement does not abolish internal border checks for security reasons. Schengen countries have the right to carry out internal border checks if they deem them necessary. Additionally, the Schengen Agreement has provisions for the reintroduction of border controls under certain circumstances, such as the need for public order or national security.
Conclusion
The Schengen Agreement is an essential agreement that allows for the free movement of people, goods, and services within the Schengen Area. The agreement has many benefits for EU citizens and travelers, such as the freedom of movement and convenience of traveling within Europe. The Schengen Agreement has helped to facilitate more tourism and trade between the Schengen countries, which has contributed to the EU`s economic growth.