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Border Checks Are Back To The Schengen Zone! Here’s Why Traveling In Europe Will Feel Different In 2025

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If you've ever been to Europe before, you know how incredible it feels crossing from country to country without ever having to clear customs, be it flying, taking a train, or simply driving across a border: that's all thanks to the Schengen Zone!

Going from Italy to France is as easy as crossing the state line between Arizona and California: no border posts, and definitely no questions asked.

In effect since 1995, this customs union unlike any other in the world has effectively abolished passport control traveling between 29 countries, greatly facilitating movement, trade, integration… and also leading to security concerns in recent years.

Woman in front of Notre Dame in Paris

Considering people can move freely between most of Europe, whether they're law-abiding citizens or not, one cannot so easily discredit Schengen-skeptics, especially following the recent migrant crisis and how exposed some countries have become to external threats.

Now, Schengen seems to be hanging by a thread as numerous members suspend the accord and reinstate 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 in the continent could feel somewhat different in 2025:

France Sends A Clear Signal To The Whole Of Europe

Eiffel Tower In Paris, France

This month, France caught the European community by surprise by reinstating border control on all of its land 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 into France from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland will be required to produce valid documentation, and inform border officers on the reason they're visiting the country.

This just sounds like any international border crossing experience, which doesn't seem like a big deal at first, but again, this is the passport-free Schengen Zone we're talking about, that people have been able to transit virtually unchecked for decades.

A Young Woman Holding Up A U.S. Passport, American Passport, At The Airport

Despite the nature of Schengen, member states have always reserved the right to impose border control, albeit temporarily, if they feel there is a need for stricter checks: that's been case during the global pandemic, and earlier in 2015 during the peak of the migrant crisis.

As per Schengen rules, the introduction of checks can only be temporary, up to six months––does that mean this measure will be short-lived, and that in half a year, France and the Schengen territories will be back to normal?

Well, not quite.

France Is Not The Only One…

cyclists commuting in copenhagen denmark

There is a six-month validity period, yes, but this can be renewed immediately should a country deem it necessary: that's been the case with Denmark for years, that has notified the European Commission of intra-Schengen border controls every six months.

In Denmark's case, renewals have been incessant since at least 2016.

So far, France's temporary controls are set to expire on April 30, 2025, but we have good reason to believe further renewals are in the cards, looking at the bigger picture: currently, there are 7 other countries that have effectively suspended Schengen.

These are:

A Person Stands Behind A White Line And An European Union EU Flag Painted On The Ground Alongside Their Backpack
  • Austria

Until May 11, 2025, due to high levels of irregular migration, an increase in smuggling activities, disproportionate pressure on the asylum system, and security risks associated with the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East––land borders reinstated with Hungary and Slovenia.

  • Denmark

Until May 11, 2025, due to terrorism-related events and organized crime in neighboring Sweden, instability caused by Russia's war against Ukraine, Russian espionage, increased migratory pressure, and others––all land, air, and sea borders with other Schengen countries.

  • Germany

Until March 15, 2025, due to migration flows that pose threats to public order and security, smuggling activities, safety concerns pertaining to the Russo-Ukrainian war, and the situation in the Middle East––all land borders with Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands.

view of the historic old buildings on marienplatz square in munich germany
  • Italy

Until December 18, 2024 (pending renewal), due to the Middle Eastern turmoil and risk of terrorist infiltration in Italian soil, as a result of an increase in migration flows, and the continuation of violence in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war––all crossing points with Slovenia.

  • The Netherlands

Until June 8, 2025, due to high levels of irregular migration, migrant smuggling, cumulative pressure on the migration system, and an increase in criminal incidents at reception centers––land and air borders reinstated with Belgium and Germany.

  • Norway

Until May 11, 2025, due to threats aimed at their energy sector, likely sabotage attempts on Russian intelligence service's part, and ongoing improvements in infrastructure protection––all land, air, and sea borders between Norway and any Schengen country.

Young Woman Boarding A Train In Porto, Portugal
  • Slovenia

Until December 21, 2024 (pending renewal), due to the unstable situation in the Middle East that poses a threat to Slovenia's public security, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and organized crime––land borders with Croatia and Hungary.

  • Sweden

Until May 11, 2025, due to the recent escalation of terrorism in Europe, an increase in gun violence and gang-related activity, and ongoing armed conflicts––all internal Schengen borders, including land, air, and sea crossing points.

Though not officially declared, spot checks have also been known to take place in Croatia, the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), Spain, Switzerland, and Finland, and border control via land continues be enforced for Bulgaria and Romania.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula

You can check all the latest information on the temporary reintroduction of border control within the Schengen Zone here.

What This Means For U.S. Travelers And Other Non-European Tourists

Traveling to and from the countries listed above, you'll be required to clear customs, even if your point of departure is another European country.

How will this work, you may be wondering?

After all, most of these European borders are but imaginary lines now that border posts have been dismantled, and you're right: for the most part, it still doesn't feel like a hard border.

However, if you're traveling by bus or train, you shouldn't be surprised if border guards step onboard––you won't get stamped again, if you've already been stamped in another Schengen country, but they will verify your passport and travel documents, as well as ask you questions.

Pravutina Border Crossing In Croatia, European Union External Border

Digital nomads and long-term travelers in Europe should be particularly vigilant, as there is no tolerance for overstayers: the Schengen accord may be paused temporarily in these areas, but the 90-day rule still applies, and those caught staying longer will face severe consequences.

These may be in the form of a hefty fine, immediate deportation from the Schengen Zone, or in extreme cases, even a re-entry ban, so make sure you keep you follow the rules.

In other words, you should:

  • Respect the 90-day rule: Americans cannot be present in the Schengen territories for longer than 90 days out of any 180-day period
  • Have your documentation ready: this involves presenting your passport, supporting documents that you're a tourist in Europe, and proof of return journey
  • Be prepared for delays if you're traveling via land: as police thoroughly checks vehicles and documents, border crossings will inevitably take longer
Young Male Traveler Holding Up A US Passport And A Boarding Card At The Airport

We don't know how long Schengen will remain fractured the way it is now or if this is a new reality we'll need to adjust to, but in any case, you should be prepared for stricter checks traveling to the Old Continent next year.

Fingerprinting And Travel Permits Required From 2025

Additionally, Europe is bringing in its new Entry-Exit System from 2025:

This means that, soon enough, Americans and other foreign visitors will be required to get fingerprinted and registered upon landing in a Schengen country, again for security reasons, with their information to be stored in a database for up to three years.

They're not stopping there: in 2025, the ETIAS will come into force, too.

Young Woman Looking Worried As She Works From Her Computer.jpg

If you're a U.S. passport holder, your nationality alone will no longer grant you the privilege of boarding a Europe-bound flight: you'll need to apply for their online travel permit, costing 7 euros, to be allowed to travel in the Schengen Zone.

You read that right.

Unless you have obtained pre-authorization, you will not be permitted 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

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.


Al LeFeusch

Tuesday 19th of November 2024

Just get rid of it and let me stay in each EU country for 3 months at a time. I'm happy to show a passport at the border. Thanks.

Kelton Bonaire

Monday 18th of November 2024

I approve of abolishing that Schengen stuff except on the way in.

David

Monday 18th of November 2024

Americans can stay longer in the Schengen zone than 90 days out of any 180 day period, but they need a visa to do so.

Pep

Saturday 16th of November 2024

This is the same policy that the US (and many other countries) has applied for years for people visiting from abroad, no matter which nationality. In the US the cost for a evisa is higher, and only lasts 1 year. I think it was time for the EU to do the same, for various reasons and not exactly to create division nor send a signal not to visit. I don’t think cost should be a concern for those coming in. As long as you have legitimate intent, I think this visa is just a mechanism to ensure public safety. Why aren’t there any articles about Australia, US,… and the many other countries doing the exact same thing for years? They also capture your personal data and in many cases treat any foreigner like a criminal when crossing their borders. This article intends to capture the reader, misinform and create division, exactly the type or “journalism” that the world needs today…

Ben

Friday 15th of November 2024

Sorry to be a pedant but a pet peeve of mine is when people don't know the difference between customs and immigration. Immigration is about international movement of people, customs is about international movement of goods. Schengen is an immigration union, not a customs union. Therefore when you cross from Switzerland into (say) Italy, you do need to go through customs, but not immigration.