Schengensääntöihin

Schengensääntöihin refers to the Schengen Agreement and its associated rules, which govern the abolition of internal border controls and the establishment of a common external border among participating European countries. The core principle is to allow free movement of people within the Schengen Area without passport checks or other types of border control. This agreement significantly facilitates travel and trade for citizens and visitors alike.

The Schengen Area currently comprises 27 European countries, including most of the member states of the European Union, as well as some non-EU countries like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. While most EU countries are part of Schengen, a few, such as Ireland, maintain their own border control policies. Conversely, some non-EU countries are fully integrated into the Schengen Area.

The Schengen rules encompass common policies on visas for short stays, police and judicial cooperation, and the establishment of the Schengen Information System (SIS), a large-scale database for security information. Border control at the external borders of the Schengen Area is strengthened and harmonized to compensate for the absence of internal checks. The implementation and enforcement of the Schengen acquis, as the body of law is known, are crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of the free movement area. Continuous evaluation mechanisms are in place to ensure that member states comply with the rules.