In the absence of formal border checks within most European Union countries, it has become easier for individuals and goods to move unchecked.

The Schengen Agreement, which was incorporated into the Treaty of the European Union (by the Amsterdam Treaty, May 1999), sets out a range of compensatory measures agreed between those European countries that allow free movement of persons across shared borders.

The Schengen Information System is one such measure. It was developed as one of the main ways to facilitate police and judicial cooperation and exchange a common set of information in order to combat exploitation of the EU travel area.

In 2001, the UK’s application for ‘partial but significant’ membership of the Schengen Agreement – the part of the Treaty of the EU that deals with the free movement of persons and control of external border – was approved. While retaining control of our borders, the UK is able to join our European partners in using the Schengen Information System for law enforcement purposes.

Whilst the sharing of data between EU law enforcement agencies is not new in practice, the Schengen Information System will provide an effective and simpler means by which to do so.



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