EU Implements New Border Regulations to Address Crises and Preserve Borderless Travel

EU Implements New Border Regulations to Address Crises and Preserve Borderless Travel

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The EU Council has finalized the approval of the new Schengen Borders Code.
2. The updated regulation aims to help member states manage crises while maintaining the benefits of borderless travel.
3. EU member states can now limit the number of open border crossing points or reduce their operating hours.

The Council of the European Union has officially endorsed the revised Schengen Borders Code. 

The new code is designed to enhance the resilience of the Schengen Area in handling crises at external borders, ensuring that residents of the EU continue to enjoy the advantages of a borderless zone. 

The regulation also introduces EU-wide measures to restrict the entry of third-country nationals during health emergencies.

Additionally, the new rules provide member state authorities with procedures to manage the movement of migrants within the EU and address issues of instrumentalized migration.

Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal, Annelies Verlinden, welcomed the adoption, highlighting that the decision enables the EU to maintain borderless travel while securing its external borders.

> "With today’s vote, we have given member states tools at hand to maintain borderless travel within the Schengen area while securing external borders, addressing irregular migration and public health risks."  
> — *Annelies Verlinden, Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal*

Member States Can Now Limit Number of Border Crossings & Maintain Internal Border Controls for up to 2 Years**

Under the new Schengen Borders Code, member states can limit the number of open border crossing points or reduce their opening hours to enhance border surveillance.

The updated code also clarifies the rules for introducing and extending internal border controls. Member states can now keep these controls in place for a maximum of two years.

Before implementing internal border controls, member states must notify the European Commission, other member states, and the parliament.

Even though the standard maximum period for internal border controls is set at two years, member states can extend the measures for an additional six months, renewable once for a total of one year, in exceptional situations.

The regulation also permits alternative measures, such as police checks and cross-border cooperation, to avoid the need for internal border controls.

For third-country nationals caught in border areas and staying illegally within a member state, the regulation establishes a new transfer procedure.

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