Schengen Area in 2024

The Schengen Area is an area in Europe consisting of 29 countries that have abolished internal borders for the free movement of people, goods and services. The agreement was signed on 14 June 1985 in the village of Schengen, Luxembourg, by five countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Initially, the agreement was not part of the European Union, but later became part of it.

Joining the Schengen Area requires countries to meet strict requirements, including effective management of external borders, cooperation in law enforcement, and the alignment of national legislation with Schengen standards.

To date, most EU countries have joined the area, as well as several non-EU states such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. These countries maintain uniform visa rules and control their external borders, ensuring security within the area.

The Schengen Area plays an important role in European integration, facilitating the movement of people, trade and cultural exchange. However, the area faces challenges such as migration crises and security, which require constant updating and improvement of control measures and cooperation between the participating countries.