Schengentérségen

Schengentérségen is the Hungarian term for the Schengen area, a region of Europe where internal border controls have largely been abolished under the Schengen Agreement. The area was established in 1995, after the original Schengen Agreement was signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg. Since its inception the area has expanded to include most European Union member states and a few non‑EU countries such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The core principle of the Schengen area is the elimination of systematic passport control at internal borders, allowing for free movement of people, goods, services and capital. While external borders remain strictly monitored, the internal border checkpoints have been withdrawn. This arrangement has benefited commuters, tourists and businesses by reducing travel times and administrative burdens.

Despite the removal of internal controls, the Schengen area retains a common visa policy for short stays, a shared framework for law enforcement cooperation, and joint mechanisms for handling security threats. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel across the area without presenting passports, although identification may be required for domestic transport or upon request by authorities. Long‑term residents and work visa holders typically carry identification documents issued by the country of residence.

The administration of Schengen is overseen by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and a network of national border agencies. In addition, the European Commission monitors compliance with the Schengen rules through tools such as the Schengen Information System, which stores data on vehicle registrations, missing persons and other security-related information. The area has become a symbol of European integration and continues to adapt to new security and migration challenges.