The European Commission on Tuesday asked nine countries in the Schengen area, including France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Norway to phase out internal border checks, which have been reinstated in some cases for years.
The Commission urged these countries, plus Slovenia and The Netherlands to “work towards phasing out and gradually lifting internal border controls, making full use of available alternative measures and regional cooperation.”
The Commission believes internal checks are no longer needed because of new regulations on migration and new tools that “enhance oversight of movements across the EU's external borders”, such as the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
“The European Union is putting in place the largest reform of our migration management system… We are rolling out the most modern border management systems in the world. With these conditions in place, Member States are in the position to work towards phasing out controls at internal borders,” said Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration.
Under EU law, Schengen countries can reintroduce internal border checks in the event of serious threats to public policy or internal security. Where controls are reinstated, Member States have to take measures to limit negative consequences on cross-border communities, and ensure the long-term functioning of the free movement area.
