Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
The Schengen Area - Statistics & Facts
Freedom of movement is one of the founding principles of the European Union, enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. In fact, EU citizens enjoy the right to freely move, settle, and work in every member state without specific formalities and discrimination based on nationality, employment, or remuneration. Since 1995, the Schengen Area enabled Europeans to move within countries without border checks. According to estimates, 3.5 million people cross these internal borders every day, and 1.7 million work in a country to the one they reside in. The Area positively influences the EU’s economy and trade, promoting tourism and the exchange of students and workers. However, anti-immigration political parties have criticized the functioning of the Area and free movement rights.
