40 years after the signing of the Schengen Agreement, the Council of the EU has approved a Schengen Declaration. The move is meant to renew its commitment to the Schengen area and to underline the importance of Schengen for the European cooperation and integration.
On 14 June 1985, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the so-called Schengen Agreement with the aim to gradually remove controls and to allow freedom of movement for their citizens. The Schengen Convention from 1990 set out the practical arrangements and came into force in 1995.
We celebrate 40 years of the Schengen Agreement with the Council’s renewed commitment to the Schengen area!
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) June 13, 2025
Schengen remains a cornerstone of European cooperation, offering over 450 million people seamless mobility while keeping borders secure.
Read about the commitments. 👇
Nowadays, the Schengen area consists of 29 countries. All EU member states except for Cyprus and Ireland plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are a part of the agreement. The Schengen Zone has thereby become the world’s largest area of free movement. Over 450 million Europeans enjoy seamless mobility and two million of them even commute daily across internal borders. Schengen facilitates intra-EU trade, exceeding € 4,100 billion in 2024, and attracts 40 % of international tourism
“We have come together on the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement to highlight our common commitment to Europe’s security, building resilience and readiness for today’s challenges. Guided by our shared values, we pledge to continue investing in the common area without internal borders, ensuring strong management of our external borders, a more effective fight against illegal migration and a high level of internal security. We are determined to work together and foster mutual trust, so that present and future generations of Europeans can continue to enjoy the benefits of the Schengen area,” stated Tomasz Siemoniak, Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration.
40 lat strefy Schengen i spotkanie ministrów spraw wewnętrznych UE właśnie w Schengen, w Luksemburgu. Miałem zaszczyt jako prezydencja być współgospodarzem tego spotkania z szefem MSW Luksemburga. Mocny głos znakomitej większości ministrów przeciw wprowadzaniu kontroli na… pic.twitter.com/BAeBD8o3Ss
— Tomasz Siemoniak (@TomaszSiemoniak) June 12, 2025
Seven commitments for the 40th anniversary
The Council of the EU has made seven commitments meant to preserve and consolidate the functioning of the Schengen area in times of geopolitical instability and an evolving security landscape. The protection of a common area without internal borders, strong external border management and a high degree of internal security stand central.
- To promote and protect the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights in a single area of freedom, security and justice.
- To defend the unfettered free movement of persons by ensuring that the reintroduction of internal border controls remains a measure of last resort and to take all appropriate measures with respect to external border management, secondary movements, migration, the return of those illegally staying as well as the prevention and combating of off-line and on-line cross border crime, terrorism, as well as emerging threats such as hybrid threats or cybercrime.
- To develop and deepen law enforcement and interagency cooperation and to enhance the development and use of large-scale IT systems to ensure Schengen remains the backbone of European security cooperation that contributes to the security of its citizens.
- To refuse entry and prevent unauthorised border crossings to those who have no right to enter, and return those who have no right to stay, in a humane and dignified manner.
- To reinforce the external dimension of Schengen including through an effective visa policy, border management and effective cooperation with third countries on return and readmission.
- To uphold a high level of mutual trust between member states and to address jointly the challenges faced by the Schengen area.
- To invest in a solid and well-functioning Schengen – through appropriate funding, human-centred innovation and new technologies, proactive action.
A milestone overshadowed by renewed internal controls
While the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement is a moment to celebrate Europe’s progress in fostering free movement and integration, the occasion is somewhat overshadowed by the resurgence of internal border checks. Several member states, including the Netherlands and France, have recently reintroduced internal controls citing concerns over migration, public security, or terrorism. These actions have sparked renewed debate about the future of Schengen and the balance between freedom and security.
Germany has voiced particular frustration, calling out what it views as disproportionate or prolonged internal controls that undermine the very spirit of the Schengen system. Berlin has urged for a return to normalcy and for member states to honour their commitment to use such measures only as a last resort and for strictly limited periods.
The EU Council’s declaration acknowledges these challenges and aims to reinforce mutual trust and cooperation. However, the real test lies ahead: ensuring that Schengen remains both resilient and united, preserving the right to free movement while responding effectively to the evolving security landscape in Europe.
