LIBE COMMITTEE CELEBRATES THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT WITH A HIGH-LEVEL EVENT CHAIRED BY JAVIER ZARZALEJOS

On 15 October 2025, the European Parliament, together with the European Commission, hosted a commemorative event marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement, one of the most emblematic milestones of the European project. The event was chaired by Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the LIBE Committee.

In the opening session, Zarzalejos highlighted Schengen as “one of the most tangible achievements of the Union: a living symbol of trust, freedom and unity.” He stressed that free movement has transformed the daily lives of millions of Europeans, strengthened the internal market and consolidated a shared European citizenship. He also underscored the recent full accession of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2025 as proof of the project’s dynamism and continuity.

This was followed by interventions from the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who delivered messages by video.

Throughout the debate, participants agreed that Schengen has generated unprecedented prosperity, mobility and cooperation, but also faces current challenges such as temporary controls at internal borders, migratory pressure or the need to guarantee security and fundamental rights simultaneously.

Zarzalejos stressed that “Schengen works, but it must evolve”, highlighting recent legislative reforms, the new Schengen governance framework and cooperation between Member States as key tools to safeguard this historic achievement.

The event concluded with statements from representatives of the Council of the EU and the Commission, followed by a reception.