The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. This area is a collaboration of 26 European member states that conduct a common border and visa policy, we call these countries Schengen countries or Schengen states.
The Member States are bound by the same visa rules, which are laid down in the common Visa Code. This allows travelers to move within the entire Schengen area without mutual border checks, visa-required persons have only one visa, the Schengen visa, needed to cross the external border of the Schengen area.
The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed by the EU to its citizens. It enables any EU citizen to travel, work and live in any EU country without any special formalities. Schengen cooperation increases this freedom by allowing citizens to cross internal borders without being subject to border controls. The Schengen area guarantees free movement for more than 400 million EU citizens, as well as many non-EU nationals, business people, tourists or other persons legally residing in EU territory.
Schengen countries
The countries listed below are part of the Schengen area:
| Belgium | Denmark | Germany |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Greece | Hungary | Italy |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | Malta | The Netherlands |
| Norway | Austria | Poland |
| Portugal | Slovenia | Slovakia |
| Spain | Czech Republic | Iceland |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Croatia |
The countries of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania have started a procedure to join the Schengen area. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have joined the Schengen area from non-EU countries.
Free movement in Europe
In 1985, the separate EU governments in Schengen (a small village in Luxembourg) signed the Schengen treaty. With this treaty, the participating countries have agreed on the gradual abolition of controls at their common borders. The implementation of the Schengen Agreement began in 1995, initially involving seven EU states. Now 27 countries are part of the Schengen area.
All EU citizens, regardless of nationality, can cross internal borders without being subject to border controls. However, the competent national authorities may also carry out police checks at internal borders and in border areas, provided that such checks are not equivalent to border checks.
In the event of a serious threat to public order or internal security, a Schengen country may temporarily introduce border controls at its internal borders. In principle, for a limited period of not more than thirty days. If such controls are reintroduced, the other Schengen countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission must be informed, as well as the public.
Freedom and security for travelers
The Schengen provisions ensure that controls at the Union's internal borders have been abolished, while controls at the external borders have been tightened. This is in accordance with the agreements. These agreements cover several areas:
- common rules applicable to persons crossing the EU's external borders, including the types of visas required and the way in which external border controls are to be carried out;
- harmonization of entry conditions and short-stay visa rules (up to 90 days);
- enhanced police cooperation (including the right to cross-border surveillance and hot pursuit);
- closer judicial cooperation through a faster extradition system and transfer of enforcement of criminal judgments;
- establishment and development of the Schengen Information System (SIS);
- documents required for travel in Europe.
Conditions for joining the Schengen area
Joining the Schengen area is not just a political decision. Countries must also meet a list of preconditions, such as being prepared and having the capacity to:
- to take responsibility for controlling the external borders on behalf of the other Schengen states and for issuing uniform Schengen visas;
- work efficiently with law enforcement agencies in other Schengen states to maintain a high level of security once border controls between Schengen countries are abolished;
- be able to apply the common Schengen rules, such as land, sea and air border controls (airports), visa issuance, police cooperation and protection of personal data;
- Be connected and use the SIS.
The candidate countries undergo a “Schengen evaluation” before joining the Schengen area and then the countries are periodically reviewed to ensure the correct application of the legislation.
