Schengensamkomulagið

Schengensamkomulagið, also known as the Schengen Agreement, is a landmark accord that has profoundly reshaped travel within Europe. Signed in 1985 in the Luxembourgish town of Schengen, the agreement's primary objective was to abolish internal border controls between signatory nations. This paved the way for the creation of the Schengen Area, a vast zone where people can travel freely without undergoing passport checks at shared borders.

The agreement was initially signed by five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Over time, more European nations joined, and the Schengen Area now encompasses most of the European Union member states, as well as some non-EU countries like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The Schengen Area operates as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy for visitors from outside the zone.

While the Schengen Agreement promotes ease of movement and economic integration, it also necessitates enhanced cooperation in areas such as law enforcement and security. Member states share information and collaborate on measures to compensate for the absence of internal border checks, aiming to ensure the overall security of the zone. The implementation and management of the Schengen acquis, the body of law governing the area, continue to be a vital aspect of European cooperation.