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The Schengen area is a group of 29 European countries that have agreed to abolish passport control at their borders, allowing for the free movement of people and goods. The area was created with the aim to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and improve security within Europe. Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997, and since then, it has enjoyed increased trade and closer cooperation with other member states. However, Austria has also faced challenges, such as concerns over illegal immigration, which led to its opposition to the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area. Despite these issues, Austria remains an integral part of the Schengen zone, facilitating travel and trade for its citizens and those of other member countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Austria joined Schengen | 1997 |
| Border controls | Checks on persons at the internal land and sea borders between Austria and other countries in the Schengen area were lifted before 2023 |
| Border controls with neighbouring countries | Until May 11, 2025, the borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czechia may be crossed by land transport only at border crossing points |
| Common visa policy | Yes |
| Travel to other Schengen countries | Allowed with a valid visa or residence permit |
| Travel outside Schengen | If the visa is only valid for one entry, a new visa is required to re-enter Schengen |
| Travel to the UK, Ireland, Russia or Turkey | A new visa is required |
| Travel to Svalbard | A new visa is required, despite Svalbard being part of Norway |
| Travel to Bulgaria and Romania | Austria has led opposition to these countries joining Schengen, but offered a conditional 'Air Schengen' in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997
The Schengen area was created to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and improve security within Europe. The agreement has a common visa policy, allowing travellers from outside Europe to enter the EU with a single Schengen visa. There are no identity checks at internal borders, and visa holders can move freely within the entire Schengen area during the visa's validity period. Third-country nationals holding a national residence permit for a Schengen country can spend up to 90 days within a 6-month period in other Schengen countries.
Austria's membership in the Schengen area has also influenced its border control policies. While there are typically no passport controls at internal Schengen borders, certain circumstances have led to the temporary reintroduction of border controls at Austria's borders with neighbouring Schengen countries. For example, until May 11, 2025, the borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic can only be crossed by land transport at designated border crossing points. These measures are implemented to address specific security or immigration concerns.
Austria has played a role in the expansion of the Schengen area by influencing the accession of other countries. In 2023, Austria initially opposed the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen open-travel area due to concerns about illegal immigration. However, Austria later offered a conditional 'Air Schengen' agreement, allowing passport-free travel by plane between Romania, Bulgaria, and Schengen countries if certain security measures were implemented. This compromise demonstrated Austria's willingness to negotiate and find solutions that balance the benefits of freedom of movement with the need for secure borders.
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Border controls between Germany and Austria remain
Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997. The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, including Germany and Austria. The purpose of the Schengen area is to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and to improve security within Europe. There are normally no passport controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area, and holders of a valid visa or residence permit can move freely within the entire area.
However, certain Schengen countries have temporarily reintroduced border controls. This includes controls on the borders between Germany and Austria, affecting freeways, federal, state, and district roads. These border controls are in place until May 11, 2025, and are not limited to the Austria-Germany border. Until the same date, the borders with Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia can only be crossed by land transport at border crossing points.
The reintroduction of border controls in the Schengen area is not unprecedented. Several countries, including Austria, have expressed concerns about illegal immigration and the need for tighter security at the EU's external borders. In 2023, Austria made a conditional offer to allow Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen area for plane travel only, in exchange for strengthened protection of the EU's external borders and the continuation of land border checks. This proposal, referred to as "Air Schengen," highlights the ongoing negotiations and adaptations within the Schengen area to balance the ideals of free movement and trade and improved security.
The presence of border controls between Germany and Austria, along with other affected countries, serves as a reminder that the Schengen agreement is a dynamic and evolving framework. While the overall goal is to facilitate free movement and trade, temporary border controls can be implemented to address specific concerns, such as those related to security and immigration. It is important for travellers to stay informed about the latest border control updates, as the situation may change over time.
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Austria opposed Bulgaria and Romania joining
Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997. The purpose of the Schengen area is to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and to improve security within Europe. It also established a common visa policy, allowing travellers from outside Europe to only need one Schengen visa to enter the EU.
Romania and Bulgaria are on major routes for illegal arms trade and drug and human trafficking. They are also a major entry point for illegal migrants into the EU. Austria was concerned that lifting border controls with these countries would increase the number of illegal migrants entering the country. In addition, Austria argued that Bulgaria and Romania had not done enough to tackle corruption and organised crime.
Despite Austria's initial opposition, Bulgaria and Romania received partial approval to join the Schengen area in December 2023, with border controls lifted for air and sea travel in March 2024. Austria dropped its veto after a series of negotiations to address concerns about illegal immigration. These negotiations included measures to protect the EU's external borders with Turkey and Serbia to reduce the flow of illegal migrants. Bulgaria and Romania are now working towards fully joining the Schengen area, with land border controls expected to be lifted in January 2025.
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Austria has since offered a conditional 'Air Schengen' deal
Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997, two years after it was extended to cover almost all Member States. The Schengen area was established to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and to improve security within Europe. It also led to the establishment of a common visa policy, allowing travellers from outside Europe to enter the EU with a single Schengen visa.
Austria has since offered a conditional Air Schengen deal, which allows nationals of certain countries to enter Austria and other Schengen countries by air without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This deal is part of the common visa policy of the Schengen area, which aims to facilitate travel and trade between member countries. The ease of travelling between countries in the Schengen area is one of the biggest benefits of the agreement, with no inbound or outbound passport control and free movement between countries.
The Air Schengen deal is conditional on meeting certain requirements. Before fully implementing the Schengen rules, a state must have its preparedness assessed in four areas: air borders, visas, police cooperation, and personal data protection. This evaluation process involves a questionnaire and visits by EU experts to institutions and workplaces in the country.
Austria's offer of a conditional Air Schengen deal demonstrates its commitment to the principles of the Schengen area and its recognition of the benefits of free movement and trade. It also highlights the flexibility of the Schengen agreement, which allows for the inclusion of non-EU countries and the adaptation of policies to meet the specific needs of individual countries.
The impact of the Air Schengen deal on travel and trade in Austria and the wider Schengen area is significant. With approximately 1.7 million people commuting to work across European borders each day, the ease of travel provided by the deal enhances economic productivity and cross-border collaboration. Additionally, the deal streamlines border control processes, reducing wait times and improving the overall travel experience, especially for non-European passport holders.
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Austria is part of the 29 European countries in the Schengen area
The Schengen area was created to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and improve security within Europe. It allows for the free movement of people between member countries without the need for passport control. The area also has a common visa policy, allowing travellers from outside Europe to enter the EU with a single Schengen visa.
Austria is one of the 29 European countries that are part of the Schengen area. It joined in 1997, and its inclusion has had a positive impact on trade and cross-border commuting within the region. Austria's membership in the Schengen area has also influenced its stance on the accession of other countries, such as Romania and Bulgaria, which became the newest members in 2024.
As a member of the Schengen area, Austria has experienced increased trade and cross-border commuting with neighbouring countries. Approximately 1.7 million people commute across European borders each day, with some regions relying on cross-border workers for up to a third of their workforce. Austria, in particular, has a significant number of workers from Hungary and Slovakia, highlighting the impact of the Schengen agreement on labour mobility.
However, Austria's membership in the Schengen area has also presented challenges, particularly regarding border control and immigration. Austria has temporarily reintroduced border controls with neighbouring Schengen countries, such as Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia. Additionally, Austria has led opposition within the EU against the inclusion of certain countries, like Romania and Bulgaria, due to concerns about illegal immigration. This opposition was eventually lifted with the implementation of an "Air Schengen" agreement, allowing for the conditional inclusion of these countries in the open-travel area.
In summary, Austria's membership in the Schengen area has brought about economic benefits and labour mobility while also presenting challenges related to border control and immigration. As a key participant in the Schengen area, Austria continues to play a role in shaping the expansion and policies of this open-travel zone within Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria joined the Schengen area in 1997.
The purpose of the Schengen area is to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and to improve security within Europe.
The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries.
