The European Parliament in Strasbourg holds a debate to discuss the reintroduction of internal border controls by several EU member states and its impact on the Schengen Area on Monday, October 7.

The Schengen Area, established in 1995, allows passport-free travel across most of Europe. It operates based on the Schengen acquis that regulates the management of borders.

While the system permits temporary internal border checks under exceptional circumstances, such as security threats, the European Parliament has raised concerns about their continued use.

The debate centres on how these measures affect the free movement within the zone, a principle seen as one of the European Union’s major achievements.

The reintroduction of these controls by countries like Germany, often unilateral, has caused tension among member states, with some officials warning that it could undermine the integrity of the Schengen Area.