Schengen border controls should be gradually phased out by Sweden, Denmark, Norway and six other European countries, the European Commission said on Tuesday, arguing that new EU migration and border systems now offer stronger tools to manage security and irregular movements without permanent checks inside the passport-free area.
The Commission issued formal opinions on the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls by Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden. Under EU law, such controls are allowed in exceptional cases when a country faces a serious threat to public policy or internal security, but they must remain temporary, necessary and proportionate.
Brussels says Schengen border controls should remain exceptional
The European Commission said the nine countries have raised “genuine and legitimate concerns” related to security threats and migration. However, it also stressed that internal border checks have consequences for neighbouring countries, cross-border workers and communities that rely on free movement.
The opinions are part of the Commission’s legal role under the revised Schengen Borders Code. When internal checks continue for more than 12 months for the same reason, Brussels must assess whether they are still necessary and proportionate.
The Commission’s message is not an immediate order to remove controls. Instead, it recommends that the countries concerned work towards phasing out and gradually lifting internal border controls, using alternatives such as targeted police checks, mobile biometric identification and vehicle-tracking technologies.
Sweden, Denmark and Norway are part of a wider Schengen pattern
The Nordic countries are directly affected by the Commission’s intervention. Sweden, Denmark and Norway have all used internal border checks for extended periods, often citing security risks, terrorism threats, organised crime, irregular migration or pressure on asylum systems.
Sweden Herald reported that Sweden and the other countries were told that the EU’s strengthened external border measures under the asylum and migration pact should be sufficient to maintain order. The issue is particularly relevant for the Nordic region, where cross-border travel is part of daily life for commuters, workers, students and businesses.
Denmark’s controls have often focused on connections with Germany and other internal Schengen routes, while Norway, although not an EU member state, participates in Schengen and is therefore included in the Commission’s assessment.
The EU migration pact changes the political balance
A central part of the Commission’s argument is that the EU’s new migration and border framework will reduce the need for internal checks. The upcoming application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is expected to strengthen management of the EU’s external borders and give governments more tools to address unauthorised movements within Schengen.
The Commission also pointed to the Entry-Exit System, which it says has been fully applicable since April, and the future rollout of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. Together, these systems are designed to improve monitoring of who enters and leaves the Schengen area.
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said the EU is putting in place “the largest reform” of its migration management system. According to the Commission, irregular border crossings are down by another 40% in 2026.
Free movement remains a test for European trust
Schengen is one of the EU’s most visible achievements. It allows people, goods and services to move across internal borders without systematic checks, supporting the internal market and everyday cross-border life.
At the same time, the long-term use of temporary controls has become a recurring source of tension. Governments argue that they need tools to respond to security threats and migration pressure, while EU institutions warn that prolonged checks can weaken the basic logic of Schengen.
The Commission will now consult the nine countries on how to implement its opinions. The process is likely to be gradual, but the political signal is clear: Brussels wants security to be managed increasingly through external border systems, targeted policing and regional cooperation, rather than through long-running checks between Schengen countries.
