Schengenruumis

Schengenruumis, or the Schengen Area, is a zone of European states in which border checks at most internal borders have been abolished to allow free movement. The area includes 23 EU member states, including Croatia since 2023, and four non-EU states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Several EU members remain outside Schengen, notably Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania, as well as the United Kingdom, which is not part of the EU or Schengen.

The Schengen acquis originated with the 1985 Schengen Agreement and was gradually integrated into EU law, with the full framework operating through the Schengen Borders Code and related instruments. The arrangement relies on uniform rules for external borders, a shared visa policy, and enhanced police and judicial cooperation. Key components include the Schengen Information System (SIS), which enables real-time data exchange on persons and objects, and the European agency Frontex, which coordinates border control and related operations.

Membership and rules are governed by a balance between liberal travel and security. Internal border checks are generally absent, but temporary reintroduction of controls is possible under exceptional circumstances, such as security threats or health emergencies. External borders are managed collectively, with standardized entry rules and a common visa regime for many nationalities. Future developments, such as ETIAS, aim to screen visa-exemption travelers before travel to enhance security while preserving the free movement core of the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area operates alongside national immigration policies. While most EU members participate, several EU states remain outside Schengen, and a few non-EU states participate due to bilateral or regional agreements, making the Schengen Space a dynamic and evolving framework for European mobility and security.