Cost of Non-Schengen: The Impact of Border Controls within Schengen on the Single Market

Estudio 16-05-2016

The study lists currently applied measures re-introducing temporary border controls within Schengen area and evaluates them in the light of different policy options and smart Single Market regulation criteria. The study highlights the added value of free movement within the Schengen area for the Single Market and quantifies the costs of re-establishing internal border controls, with particular reference to the transportation sector. Welfare of consumers is affected by “non-Schengen”, as the prices of imports increase relative to domestic goods due to higher trade costs. A failure of Schengen would not only reduce the future benefits of the Single Market, but also undermine other aspects of EU integration. The study was prepared for Policy Department A and EAVA at the request of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.