New UniGR-CBS Working Paper – Challenges 40 Years After the Schengen Agreement

For a long time, open borders were seen as one of Europe’s great achievements. However, since 2015, controls at the EU’s internal borders have been gradually reintroduced. Initially framed as exceptions, they are now becoming the new normal. As the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement approaches, the new UniGR-CBS Working Paper explores this development and offers a contextual reading of it.

The author analyses the reintroduction of temporary border controls within the EU between 2015 and 2024. He identifies four phases marking a gradual shift from a Schengen-Spirit of open borders to a Border-Spirit characterized by increasing control.

This shift is characterized by the renationalization of EU border policy, growing crisis rhetoric, political instrumentalization and ambiguous border management. Migration, terrorism, public health and hybrid threats are used to justify a security-focused and normalized European order, which is now emerging as the new Schengen reality.

Bibliographical information

Wille, Christian (2025): On the Reintroduction of Temporary Controls at EU Internal Borders. Developments and Challenges 40 Years After the Schengen Agreement. UniGR-CBS Working Paper 24. Doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15575146. Download

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