Is the EU increasing control on Schengen interior borders?

 Is the EU increasing control on Schengen interior borders?

Yes, the EU is witnessing an increase in temporary, targeted controls on Schengen interior borders, driven by member states citing security threats and irregular migration. While Schengen principles aim for free movement, nations like Germany, France, and others are extending, rather than removing, checks at internal borders. This trend, reinforced by updated rules, reflects a shift towards tighter, yet still temporary, internal controls.

 

• Growing Internal Checks: Countries such as Germany, France, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy have reinstated internal border checks, often citing irregular migration and, in some cases, security threats.
• Legal Basis for Controls: Under the amended Schengen Borders Code, temporary reintroductions of border controls are permitted as a "last resort" in response to significant threats to public policy or security, rather than a permanent closure of borders.
• Policy Shift: While the long-term goal remains to return to a seamless Schengen area, current political momentum is prioritizing increased security and stricter,, albeit temporary, controls.
• Stricter External Border Control: The EU is prioritizing the strengthening of external borders, such as with the Entry/Exit System (EES) (starting in October 2025), which aims to make border checks more effective.
• Schengen Expansion: Despite internal controls, the Schengen area has continued to expand, with air and maritime checks lifted for Bulgaria and Romania on March 31, 2024, and land borders on Jan 1, 2025.
• These measures highlight a tension within the EU between upholding the freedom of movement and enhancing national security, leading to a more managed, and at times, interrupted, free travel zone.