The European Union Commission has launched a campaign to celebrate the 40 years since the signing of the Schengen Agreement.

Signed on June 14, 1985, near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, the agreement laid the foundation for a borderless Europe.

The celebrations feature a range of events, including a public exhibition with collaborative art installations and interactive activities that explore personal experiences within the Schengen Area.

A key highlight is the conference titled “40 Years of Schengen: People, Borders, Politics,” which will bring together stakeholders to discuss the Schengen Area’s future and its impact on European integration.

What began with five founding members—Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—has now expanded to 29 countries, reshaping travel, security, and economic cooperation across the continent.

The Schengen Area now spans over 450 million people, enabling hassle-free travel across much of Europe without the need for passport controls.

The Schengen Agreement emerged from a strong push for greater European integration and the removal of obstacles to the free movement of people and goods.

It was signed aboard a boat on the River Moselle—a shared border between Luxembourg, France, and Germany—reflecting the unity and cross-border cooperation the agreement aimed to achieve.

The agreement set the stage for the Schengen Area, which was officially launched on March 26, 1995, when internal border checks were abolished among the original member states.

The Schengen Area has steadily expanded over the years to include both EU and non-EU countries, with Bulgaria and Romania joining as the most recent members on January 1, 2025.

 The initiative highlights the Schengen Area’s achievements and invites citizens, businesses, and organizations to take part in activities that promote its core values of freedom, security, and prosperity.

Key Achievements of the Schengen Area includes:

The Schengen Area allows for the free movement of people across member states by eliminating internal border checks.

This seamless mobility boosts tourism, trade, education, and family connections, while promoting a strong sense of European unity. Each day, around 3.5 million people cross these borders, with 1.7 million commuting between countries for work.

At the same time, Schengen countries have reinforced joint efforts on external border control, law enforcement cooperation, and intelligence sharing to maintain security.

The removal of internal border checks has boosted trade and commerce across the Schengen Area.

Businesses enjoy lower transport costs and smoother logistics, resulting in greater efficiency and job growth. Additionally, the Schengen Zone draws over 500 million visitors each year, making it the most visited region in the world.