BAKGRUNN (fra Kommisjonens pressemelding 27.11.2014, engelsk utgave)

Commission reports on the state of the Schengen area
Today the Commission adopted its sixth Schengen 'health check', a biannual overview on the functioning of the Schengen area. The report provides a clear account of the state of the Schengen area, to ensure a coherent interpretation and implementation of the common rules amongst all Schengen participating countries. Each year millions of European citizens make use of the possibility to travel freely to visit friends and family, make business trips or visit other Schengen countries as tourists. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos said: "The creation of an area without internal border controls is one of the greatest achievements of European integration, and a major driver for Member States' growth and prosperity. But European institutions and Member States have to remain vigilant over the functioning of the Schengen area be ready to respond to any challenges it faces."

In 2013 the EU adopted rules to protect free movement and make the Schengen governance more efficient (MEMO/13/536).