Germany, France, Netherlands and Luxembourg Celebrate Forty Years of Schengen: A Milestone in European Unity and Mobility

In 2025, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, alongside other Schengen Area member states, are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement.

This agreement, signed on June 14, 1985, near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, marked the beginning of a transformative journey toward a borderless Europe. Initially agreed upon by just five countries—Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—the Schengen Area has since expanded to 29 countries, fundamentally reshaping the way Europeans experience freedom of movement, security, and economic prosperity. Today, the Schengen Area covers over 450 million people who enjoy seamless travel across much of Europe without passport controls.

The Genesis of Schengen

The Schengen Agreement was conceived as a response to the desire for deeper European integration and the removal of barriers that hindered the free movement of people and goods. The signing ceremony took place aboard a vessel on the River Moselle, a shared waterway between Luxembourg, France, and Germany, symbolizing the collaborative spirit of the agreemen.

The agreement laid the groundwork for the creation of the Schengen Area, which officially came into existence on March 26, 1995, with the abolition of internal border checks among the founding countries. Since then, the area has grown to include additional EU and non-EU countries, with Bulgaria and Romania being the latest members, joining on January 1, 2025.

Key Achievements of the Schengen Area

1. Freedom of Movement

The primary benefit of the Schengen Area is the elimination of internal border controls, allowing individuals to move freely between member states. This freedom facilitates travel for tourism, business, education, and family reunification, fostering a sense of European identity and unity. An estimated 3.5 million people cross internal borders daily, with approximately 1.7 million residing in one Schengen country and working in another.

2. Enhanced Security

While internal borders have been removed, Schengen member states have strengthened cooperation on external border management, law enforcement, and intelligence sharing. This collaborative approach has led to a significant decrease in irregular crossings at the common external borders and an increase in the return of third-country nationals without the right to stay in the area.

3. Economic Prosperity

The absence of internal border checks has streamlined trade and commerce within the Schengen Area. Businesses benefit from reduced transportation costs and simplified logistics, leading to increased efficiency and job creation. Moreover, the area attracts over half a billion visitors annually, making it the world’s most visited destination.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its successes, the Schengen Area faces challenges, particularly concerning the reintroduction of internal border controls by some member states in response to security concerns and migration pressures. Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands have reinstated border checks, citing the need to address irregular migration and other security threats.

In response to these challenges, the European Commission has outlined priorities for the 2025-2026 Schengen cycle, focusing on:

Strengthening Governance: Enhancing political and operational governance at both EU and national levels to ensure shared responsibility and accountability.
Comprehensive Security Approach: Adopting a more structured and comprehensive approach to security, extending beyond immediate neighbors and internal border regions to include the entire route of EU and Schengen candidate countries.
Digitalization of Procedures: Accelerating the digitalization of procedures and systems to improve security and efficiency at external borders and within the area without internal border controls.

These initiatives aim to reinforce the Schengen Area’s role as a cornerstone of European integration and a strategic asset for the Union .

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary

To commemorate this significant milestone, the European Commission has launched a communication campaign celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. The campaign highlights the achievements of the Schengen Area and encourages citizens, businesses, and organizations to engage in activities that promote its values of freedom, security, and prosperity.

Events and initiatives include:

EU Open Day: An event featuring collaborative art installations and interactive activities to reflect on personal experiences within the Schengen Area.
Conferences and Discussions: Conferences such as “40 Years of Schengen: People, Borders, Politics” to engage stakeholders in discussions about the future of the Schengen Area.

Conclusion

The 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement serves as a testament to Europe’s commitment to unity, cooperation, and shared values. While challenges remain, the collective efforts of member states and institutions continue to uphold the principles of the Schengen Area, ensuring that it remains a vital component of European integration and a model for regional cooperation worldwide.

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