Schengensamtökunum

Schengensamtökunum, often translated as the Schengen Association or Schengen Group, refers to the collective of European countries that have abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. This agreement, officially known as the Schengen Agreement, allows for free movement of people within the Schengen Area. The primary aim is to create a borderless region where individuals can travel without undergoing routine checks.

The Schengen Agreement was initially signed in 1985 in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, and came into effect in 1995. Over time, more countries joined, expanding the area significantly. Today, it comprises most of the European Union member states, along with some non-EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The Schengen Area functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy for short stays. External borders of the Schengen Area are subject to controls, and there is cooperation between member states on policing and judicial matters to compensate for the removal of internal border checks. The concept promotes economic integration and facilitates tourism and trade within the participating nations.