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If you’ve ever been to Europe before, you know how incredible it feels to travel from country to country without ever having to go through customs, whether you fly, take a train, or simply drive across a border: it’s all thanks to the Schengen zone!
Getting from Italy to France is as easy as crossing the state line between Arizona and California: no border checkpoints and certainly no questions.
This customs union, in force since 1995, has effectively abolished passport control on travel between 29 countries like no other in the world, significantly facilitating movement, trade and integration and also leading to safety problems in recent years.
Since people can move freely between them most of Europe, whether they are law-abiding citizens or not, you cannot so easily discredit the Schengen skeptics, especially after the recent migrant crisis and the extent to which some countries are exposed to external threats.
Now Schengen seems to be hanging by a thread, as many members are suspending the agreement Aand recover border control with their neighbors.
Could this be the end of an era?
If you’re used to a Europe without borders, here’s how traveling on the continent could feel slightly different in 2025:
France sends a clear signal to all of Europe
This month, France surprised the European community reintroducing border control at all land border crossings, affecting travel to and from six neighboring countries, as well as airside checks, in response to a noticeable increase in cross-border crime.
For the time being, travelers coming to France from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland will do so required to provide valid documentationand inform border guards of the reason they are visiting the country.
This sounds like any international border crossing experience, which doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, but again, this is the passport free We are talking about the Schengen zone, where people can travel virtually not checked for decades.
Despite the nature of Schengen, Member States have always reserved the right to impose border controls, albeit temporarily, if they believe there is a need for stricter controls: this has been the case during the global pandemic, and earlier in 2015 during the peak of the migrant flow. crisis.
Under Schengen rules, the introduction of controls can only be temporary. up to six months––does this mean that this measure will be short-lived, and that France and the Schengen areas will be back to normal within six months?
Well, not quite.
France is not alone…
There is a validity period of six months, yes, but this is possible renewed immediately if a country deems it necessary: this has been the case for years with Denmark, which informs the European Commission every six months about intra-Schengen border controls.
In the case of Denmark it is The innovations have been continuous since at least 2016.
So far, France’s temporary controls expire on April 30, 2025, but we have good reason to believe that further extensions are in the offing, looking at the bigger picture: currently there are Seven other countries that have effectively suspended Schengen.
These are:
Until May 11, 2025Due to the high level of irregular migration, an increase in smuggling activities, disproportionate pressure on the asylum system and security risks related to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East – the land borders with Hungary and Slovenia have been restored.
Until May 11, 2025due to terrorism-related events and organized crime in neighboring Sweden, instability caused by the Russian war against Ukraine, Russian espionage, increased migratory pressure and others – all land, air and sea borders with other Schengen countries.
Until March 15, 2025due to migration flows that threaten public order and security, smuggling activities, security problems related to the Russian-Ukrainian war and the situation in the Middle East – all land borders with Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Until December 18, 2024 (pending renewal), due to the unrest in the Middle East and the risk of terrorist infiltration into Italian territory, due to an increase in migration flows, and the continuation of violence in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war – all intersections with Slovenia.
Until June 8, 2025Due to high levels of irregular migration, migrant smuggling, cumulative pressure on the migration system and an increase in criminal incidents in reception centers – land and air borders with Belgium and Germany have been restored.
Until May 11, 2025as a result of threats targeting their energy sector, likely sabotage attempts on the part of Russian intelligence and continued improvements in infrastructure protection – all land, air and sea borders between Norway and any Schengen country.
Until December 21, 2024 (pending extension), due to the unstable situation in the Middle East that threatens Slovenian public security, Russian aggression against Ukraine and organized crime – the land borders with Croatia and Hungary.
Until May 11, 2025due to the recent escalation of terrorism in Europe, an increase in gun violence and gang-related activities, and ongoing armed conflict – all internal Schengen borders, including land, air and sea crossing points.
Although not officially declared, it is also known that spot checks are taking place in Croatia, the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), Spain, Switzerland and Finland, and that land border controls are still being enforced for Bulgaria and Romania.
You can consult the latest information on the temporary reintroduction of border control within the Schengen zone here.
What this means for American travelers and other non-European tourists
If you travel to and from the countries mentioned above, you will need to go through customs, even if your departure point is another European country.
How does this work, you may wonder?
After all, most of these European borders are just imaginary lines now that the border posts have been dismantled, and you’re right: for the most part they are it still doesn’t feel like one difficult border.
However, if you travel by bus or train, don’t be surprised if border guards board. You will not receive a stamp again if you have already received a stamp in another Schengen country, but they will shall verify your passport and travel documents, as well ask your questions.
Digital nomads and long-term travelers in Europe must be particularly vigilant, as there is no tolerance for overstayers: the Schengen Agreement may be temporarily suspended in these areas, but the 90-day rule still applies, and those caught on a longer stay will face serious consequences. implications.
These can take the form of a hefty fine, immediate deportation from the Schengen zone, or in extreme cases even an entry ban, so make sure you follow the rules.
In other words, you must:
- Respect the 90-day rule: Americans cannot be in the Schengen areas for more than 90 days of a 180-day period
- Have your documentation ready: You must submit your passport, supporting documents proving that you are a tourist in Europe and proof of the return journey
- Be prepared for delays when traveling by land: As police thoroughly check vehicles and documents, border crossings will inevitably take longer
We don’t know how long Schengen will remain divided as it is now, or whether this will be the case new reality we will have to adapt to it, but in any case you should be prepared for stricter controls traveling to the Old Continent next year.
Fingerprints and travel permits required from 2025
In addition, Europe will introduce its new Entry-Exit system from 2025:
This means that Americans and other foreign visitors will soon be required to be fingerprinted and registered upon arrival in a Schengen country, again for security reasons, with their information stored in a database for up to three years.
It doesn’t stop there: in 2025 the ETIAS will enter into forceat.
If you hold an American passport, your nationality alone no longer gives you the privilege of boarding a flight to Europe: you must apply for their online travel permit, which costs 7 euros, in order to travel in the United States. Schengen zone.
You read that correctly.
Unless you have obtained prior permission, you are not allowed to enter Europe.
Intra-Schengen checks, fingerprinting, new travel permits… this is Europe 2025 for you (and you thought pandemic restrictions were bad enough).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
