Schengen area: Update and state of play

Briefing 22-03-2016

Passport-free travel across the Schengen area has been called into question as a result of pressure on certain internal EU borders from the rising number of asylum-seekers and migrants seeking to reach certain Member States, as well as security concerns in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks. In addition to the loss of personal freedom involved, the reintroduction of borders could well bring significant economic costs, which would be felt both within and outside the Schengen area. This briefing provides an update on recent developments and studies on the issue.