Fourth State of Schengen report on 40 years of profound benefits for all EU citizens

European Commission - Press release Fourth State of Schengen report on 40 years of profound benefits for all EU citizens Brussels, 23 April 2025 Today, the Commission publishes its fourth State of Schengen report, reviewing developments over the past year and setting priorities for the year ahead. 40 years since its creation shows that the Schengen area has brought profound benefits to the EU and its citizens. It is the backbone for the EU's internal market and facilitates the lives of almost 450 million people. Last year, Schengen was once again the world's most visited destination, welcoming more than half a billion visitors and driving economic growth across the Union. Over time, Schengen has evolved into a robust and comprehensive system, where Member States with the support of the EU are effectively managing external borders, security and migration in a coordinated manner. The report adopted today reviews the functioning of the Schengen area and is the Commission's contribution ahead of the June Schengen Council, which will celebrate 40 years since the signature of the Schengen Agreement. State of Schengen The 2025 State of Schengen reports on the achievements, challenges and developments in the Schengen area during the last cycle of 2024-2025. The full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area significantly strengthens the EU economy and is proof that the Member States are fully engaged to further improve cooperation under...