Summary (tl;dr)

The Schengen Area is currently a major topic due to the chaotic rollout of a new Entry/Exit System causing significant airport delays, the ongoing reintroduction of internal border controls by multiple member states, the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the free-travel zone by air and sea, and new visa policies impacting Russian nationals and potential visa-free travel suspensions.

Essential Background

The Schengen Area, established in 1985, is a zone in Europe encompassing 29 countries, including 25 EU Member States and four non-EU countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein), that have largely abolished internal border controls. Its primary aim is to allow for the free movement of people across these internal borders, operating under common rules for external border control, visas, and police cooperation, distinct from the European Union itself.

The Full Story

"Schengen" is trending in December 2025 due to a series of critical developments impacting European travel and security. The recently launched EU Entry/Exit System (EES), operational since October 12, 2025, is causing significant "mayhem and chaos" at European airports, with the Airports Council International (ACI Europe) reporting up to 70% increases in border processing times and waiting times of up to three hours at peak periods. Airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain are particularly affected, leading ACI Europe to call for a halt to the system's expansion until operational issues are resolved. The EES digitizes entry and exit records and collects biometric data for non-EU nationals, replacing manual passport stamping.

Simultaneously, several Schengen states, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, and Sweden, have extended temporary internal border controls, some on a quasi-permanent basis. Slovenia, for example, prolonged controls with Croatia and Hungary until June 2026, while the Netherlands extended checks with Belgium and Germany until June 2026, citing concerns over security, irregular migration, and terrorism threats.

In a significant expansion of the free-travel zone, Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen Area for air and sea travel on January 1, 2025, eliminating internal border checks for these modes of transport. Furthermore, new, tougher Schengen visa rules for Russian nationals residing in Russia have been implemented, largely restricting them to single-entry visas as part of broader EU punitive measures against Russia. The European Parliament also approved a reform to its visa suspension mechanism, making it easier to revoke visa-free travel for countries posing security risks or breaching human rights, particularly those involved in "golden passport" schemes or hybrid threats. Additionally, in a move to enhance military readiness, the European Parliament backed a "military Schengen" resolution to facilitate the rapid cross-border movement of troops and military equipment within the EU, prompted by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Why It Matters

These developments underscore a complex interplay between the Schengen Area's founding principle of free movement and growing concerns over security, migration, and geopolitical stability. The EES operational issues pose a substantial challenge to the efficiency of international travel and could negatively impact tourism and business. The continued reintroduction of internal border controls by member states, even if temporary, erodes the core essence of the passport-free zone and highlights an ongoing struggle to balance national security with regional integration. The inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria marks a significant step towards a more unified European travel area, while the stricter visa policies for Russian nationals and the new visa suspension mechanism reflect the EU's assertive stance on external relations and security. Finally, the push for a "military Schengen" demonstrates Europe's intensified focus on collective defense and rapid response capabilities in the current geopolitical climate.

Geographic Location

• Consulates of Schengen Area Member States, Russia (Tougher visa rules applied for Russian nationals)
• Airports in France (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Germany (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Greece (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Iceland (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Italy (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Portugal (EES operational issues)
• Airports in Spain (EES operational issues)
• Internal borders between Slovenia and Croatia (Slovenia extended temporary border controls)
• Internal borders between Slovenia and Hungary (Slovenia extended temporary border controls)
• Internal borders between Netherlands and Belgium (Netherlands extended temporary border controls)
• Internal borders between Netherlands and Germany (Netherlands extended temporary border controls)
• Internal borders of Austria (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Denmark (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of France (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Germany (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Italy (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Norway (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Poland (Temporary border controls extended)
• Internal borders of Sweden (Temporary border controls extended)
• Airports and seaports of Romania (Joined Schengen Area by air and sea)
• Airports and seaports of Bulgaria (Joined Schengen Area by air and sea)
• European Parliament (Voted on military mobility and visa suspension mechanism)