Introduction about Schengen
Begin, development and objectives of the Schengen cooperation
- Introduction about Schengen
- Begin and development of the Schengen cooperation
- Ensuring security in the area without borders
Introduction about Schengen
Schengen stands for an area of free movement of persons as well as an area of security and law. The termination of the internal border control is the most visible, but not the only feature of the Schengen co-operation. Schengen membership means a full participation in the Schengen co-operation, which includes harmonized rules for the external borders control, visa and consular affairs, police co-operation and personal data protection. The abolition of border checks is compensated by a comprehensive system of measures of various kinds.
Since 19 December 2011, the Schengen area is comprised of 26 member states: 22 EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. On the contrary, two of the “old” EU-members – the United Kingdom and Ireland are involved only in certain aspects of the police and justice co-operation. Three “new” EU Member States – Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania also remain outside the Schengen area.
Department for Asylum and Migration Policy, 19th December, 2011