The Schengen Agreement allows for border-free travel across 26 European countries. It was signed in 1985 and established in 1995. The 2015 European migrant crisis strained the agreement as some countries reimposed border controls. Proposals to reform Schengen aim to strengthen external border security while maintaining free movement. The crisis highlighted challenges around managing asylum applications and search/arrest warrants across members.
2. Schengen Space Agreement
S The free movement of individuals is a fundamental right
guaranteed by the EU to its citizen. It entitles every EU
citizen to travel, work and live in any EU country without
special formalities.
S Schengen cooperation enhances this freedom by
enabling citizens to cross internal borders without being
subjected to border checks.
S Guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU
citizens, and many non-EU nationals, businessmen,
tourists or other persons legally present on the EU
territory
3. Schengen History
S Throughout European History the concept for “free movement”
between European countries was an issue
S During the 1980’s; Europe was split between the idea of free
Europe with no internal border checks amongst countries or no
free Europe
S In 1894, French and Germany teamed up to motion and explain
the idea of “free movement” to the European Council
S June 14, 1985: “The Schengen Agreement” was signed by five
(5) following countries: France, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg
and Netherlands in Schengen
4. Schengen History
S June 19, 1990: a Convention was signed more concrete
implementation (Covered issues: abolition of internal border
controls, procedure for visas and operation of a single database)
S 27 November 1990 -6 November 1992: Italy, Portugal, Spain and
Greece signed “Schengen Agreement”
S 26 March 1995:“Schengen Area” finally started: France, Germany,
Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain
S April 1995- Austria joined; December 1996: Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway and Sweden joined
5. Schengen History
S January 2000: Greece; March 2001: Denmark, Finland, Sweden,
Iceland, Norway
S April 2003: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Slovakia; October 2004: Switzerland
S February 2008: Liechtenstein joined
S Yet to Join: Bulgaria and Romania (joined EU in 2007); Croatia
(joined the EU 2013); Ireland and United Kingdom
6. Schengen Area in 2016
S Overall there are 26
area member states
S Population: 419,
392,429
S Area: 4,312, 099 km
(1,664,911 square
miles)
7. Joining Schengen Policies
S EU countries that want to join must take
responsibility for controlling the external borders on
the behalf of the other Schengen States and for
issuing uniform Schengen visas
S Cooperate with law enforcement agencies in other
Schengen States
S Must apply the common set of Schengen rules
8. Schengen Citizen Policies
S Citizens within Schengen Space area must have visa at all
times while traveling throughout different Schengen countries
S Citizens from some non-EU countries are required to hold a
visa while traveling with the Schengen Space
S Short stay visa allows travelers to travel throughout the 26
Schengen States for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
S If a traveler exceeds the stay, there are national procedures
that the traveler would have to follow
9. Schengen Visas
S Visa: Authorization to be in an area for a specific amount of
time
S Different Types of Visas, (Uniform Schengen Visa, Limited
Territorial Validity and National Visas)
S Purpose: to verify if a person is legally traveling, prevents
fraudulent behaviors (ID theft)
S protects travelers and enhances security
10. Schengen Immigration Laws
S 2011: Single Permit Directive created a set of rights for non-EU
nationals to simplify migration procedures
S Long-Term Residence Directive creates status for non EU nation
who lived in an EU country for 5 years to gain equal rights in all
EU countries
11. Migrant Crisis
S Migrant= Someone that moves that moves from one
region, place, or country to another
S Refugee= Someone who has been forced to leave their
country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural
disaster
S In 2015, millions of migrants and refugees (1,014,836)
reached Europe across the Mediterranean seek work, a
better life and sanctuary
S Both Greece, Italy and Hungry have had huge issues in
dealing with massive waves of migrants
12. Terrorism Impact
S Since March 2014, the Islamic State has carried our at
least 29 deadly assaults targeting Westerners around the
world, killing more than 650 people
S Nearly 60 million people are currently fleeing conflict or
persecution around the world.
S The last terrorist attack was in Belgium in the city of
Brussels which killed 30 people
S Since the attack on Brussels and Paris, various countries
in the Schengen Space have had many political issues
and debates on changing the border control
13. Migrants Through the Sea
S Total number of migrants
traveling through the
Mediterranean sea in 2016
was 184,162
S More than 1,638 deaths have
occurred in the Mediterranean
S More than 101,316 of
migrants arrived through the
Aegean Sea
S In the Aegean Sea, more than
400 people have gone
missing or died during the
14. The Dangerous Journey
S Wither Migrant or a refugee, children are the most known to die
or see some form of violence during the long journey
S Unprotected children are more than likely to be smuggled,
kidnapped or die along the journey
S Both migrants and refugees and face
S Harassment, robbery, violence, death
S On foot some would face trafficking gangs and alleged beatings by
police
S During Europe’s summer there are more deaths due to more
massive waves of people and families being separated
15. Ideas For Migrant Crisis
S In 2015, the EU ministers suggested to relocate 160,000 refugees EU-
wide, but then the plan was changed to just those migrants or refugees
in Germany or Italy
S In 2016, countries in the Schengen area have suggested to close off
borders in Germany and Italy
S Again in 2016, Relocating 200,000 refugees and migrants from Greece
and Italy
S In 2016, Germany is seeking to have a longer solution, that would
involve Libya and Syria.
S Germany does not have a exact plan of action, but they are trying to
find a solution that would involve the countries
16. Migrants affect for Schengen
S Since 2015, countries in the Schengen area have started blocking
off routes for tourism and travelers
S Some Schengen countries have or have not closed off it’s borders
with neighboring countries
S Borders controls have increased in Germany, Italy and Hungary
S Traveling in the Schengen area has become more restricted
S Restriction laws various upon different Schengen countries
S Traveling tourists are more restricted and advised to be more attentive
while traveling within different Schengen countries
S Air travel has not been affected until the bombing in Brussels, in
which Belgium has suggested to other Schengen countries to be
more attentive and protective to their citizens in the airports
17. Law Changes for Schengen
S Originally within the Schengen rules, signatories may reinstate
internal border control for 10 days. If more time, the controls
could be “renewable” for up to 20 days
S Now with the migrant crisis the time period is considered
“unforeseeable”. The controls are now extended up to 30 or a
maximum of 60 months
S Six States have border controls in place: Austria, Denmark, France,
Germany, Norway and Sweden
S European Commission is starting to propose a major amendment
for the Schengen Agreement
S Until now, only non-EU travelers have details checked against police
databases, this new law will now include EU citizens
18. Measures Taken for Borders
S Several Schengen
countries have decided to
restrict border control
S Hungary controls affect its
borders with two non-
Schengen states:
S Croatia and Serbia.
S Hungary also control
affects its borders with
Schengen member
Solvenia
19. New Schengen Involvement
S There is new joint effort to fight drug-related crime and violence crime
S The agreement is also allowing hot pursuits, police now have the right to
chase suspected criminals across borders
S Schengen Information System (SIS); allows police stations and
consulates to access shared database of wanted or undesirable people
and stolen objects
S The Agreement now also has a common list of countries whose nationals
require visas
S Schengen is now involved with new common rules on asylum
S Asylum= Migrants and refugees under international law have the right to
be protected in its members states. Migrants and refugees that are
looking for protection in another country are called asylum seekers
20. Schengen Traveling Advice
S When In Italy, take a look at local newspapers and news about the
migrant crisis and refugee crisis
S Even though it is in Italian, try to understand the main big picture
S Be respectful to everyone and their opinions
S Continue to be informed and aware of the migrant crisis
S Look at websites retaining to information on numbers and news on
migrant movement in Europe and in the Schengen region
S If you are still interested in learning more about the migrants crisis there
are numerous websites out there that can give still give more information
S Doctors Without Borders
S Mediterranean Migration
21. Work Cited
S Schengen. (2016). Schengen Visa Countries List - Schengen Area. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from
http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/
S Schengen. (2016). Schengen Agreement - Schengen VISA Information. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from
http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-agreement/
S DGs. (2016). Visa policy. Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-
do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/index_en.htm
S Bergman, Judith. "Europe's Migration Crisis: No End in Sight." Gatestone Institute. Gatestone Institute, 2
May 2016. Web. 02 May 2016.
S "Migrant Crisis: Migration to Europe Explained in Seven Charts - BBC News." BBC News. BCC News, 2
Mar. 2016. Web. 02 May 2016.
S Erlanger, Steven. "Brussels Attacks Fuel Debate Over Migrants in a Fractured Europe." The New York
Times. The New York Times, 22 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 May 2016.
S Yourish, Karen, Tim Wallace, Derek Watkins, and Tom Giratikanon. "Brussels Is Latest Target in Islamic
State’s Assault on West." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 May 2016.
22. Work Cited
S BBC News. "Migrant Crisis: EU Plans Penalties for Refusing Asylum Seekers." BBC NEWS. BBC News, 4 May
2016. Web. 4 May 2016.
S MSF USA. "Refugees and IDPs." Medecins Sans Frontieres: Doctors Without Borders. Medecins Sans Frontieres:
Doctors Without Borders, 2016. Web. 2 May 2016.
S BBC News. "Macedonia: Migrants Dangerous Journey to Europe on Foot." BBC News. BBC News, 5 June 2015.
Web. 4 May 2016.
S BBC News. "Migrant Crisis: European Commission Proposes Asylum Reforms." BBC News. BBC News, 6 Apr.
2016. Web. 04 May 2016.
S Shaffer, Lesile. "Merkel Ally: Syria, Libya Key to Solving Migrant Crisis." CNBC. CNBC, 08 Mar. 2016. Web. 05
May 2016.
S Whitaker, Barbara. "As Migrants Pour Into Europe, New Rules of the Road for Tourists." The New York Times. The
New York Times, 16 Oct. 2015. Web. 05 May 2016.
S "Schengen: Controversial EU Free Movement Deal Explained." BBC News. BBC News, 24 Apr. 2016. Web. 05
May 2016.