Schengen States that share an external land border with a non-EU Member State are entitled, under EU Regulation (EC) No 1931/2006, to conclude or maintain bilateral agreements with neighbouring third countries for the purpose of implementing a local border traffic regime. [273] Such agreements define a border area that can extend up to a maximum of 50 kilometres (31 miles) on both sides of the border and provide for the granting of permits for local border traffic to residents of the border area. Permits can be used to cross the EU`s external border within the border area, are not stamped when crossing the border and must include the name and photo of the holder, a statement that the holder is not allowed to move outside the border area and that any abuse will be subject to sanctions. There are or have been plans for small border agreements between Lithuania and Russia, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria-Serbia and Bulgaria-North Macedonia. [281] The agreement between Poland and Belarus was due to enter into force in 2012,[282] but was delayed by Belarus,[283] was set without an implementation date (october 2012). [284] Before concluding an agreement with a neighbouring country, the Schengen state must obtain the approval of the European Commission, which must confirm that the draft agreement complies with the regulation. The agreement can only be concluded if the neighbouring country grants reciprocal rights to at least EEA and Swiss citizens residing on the Schengen side of the border area and accepts the return of persons who abuse the border agreement. Visa liberalisation negotiations between the EU and the Western Balkans (with the exception of Kosovo) started in the first half of 2008 and were completed in 2009 (for Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and 2010 (for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina). Before the complete abolition of visas, the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) had signed “visa facilitation agreements” with the Schengen states in 2008.

Visa facilitation agreements at the time were aimed at shortening wait times, reducing visa fees (including free visas for certain categories of travellers) and reducing red tape. In practice, however, the new procedures have proven to be longer, heavier, more costly, and many people have complained that it is easier to obtain visas before the entry into force of the facilitation agreements. [290] [291] [292] However, certain third-country nationals are allowed to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days without the need to apply for a long-stay visa. For example, France does not require citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City to apply for a long-stay visa. [252] In addition, Article 20(2) of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement provides for this “in exceptional circumstances” and that bilateral agreements concluded by the various signatory States with other countries before the entry into force of the Convention continue to apply. As a result, New Zealand nationals may, for example, stay for up to 90 days in one of the Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) that had already concluded bilateral visa waiver agreements with the New Zealand Government before the entry into force of the agreement, without the need to apply for a long-stay visa. but for travel to other Schengen countries, the 90 days apply within a period of 180 days. [253] [254] [255] [256] [257] [258] [259] [260] [261] [262] [263] [excessive citations] By June 2017[update], ten local transport agreements had entered into force. From 2015, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino negotiated an association agreement with the EU. Andorra`s ambassador to Spain, Jaume Gaytán, said he hoped the agreement would contain provisions to make states associate members of the Schengen agreement.

[114] Many external border crossing points have special lanes for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (and their family members) and other routes for all travellers, regardless of nationality. [217] At some external border crossing points, there is a third type of route for Travellers who are Annex II nationals (i.e. visa-exempt nationals of non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries). [218] Although Andorran and San Marino nationals are not EU or EEA citizens, they can still use the special routes for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. [219] BRITISH citizens will not be able to use the EU route after Brexit under the current state of the rules unless such a right is negotiated in the Brexit deal with the EU. Background: The European Parliament approved the visa waiver for Ukraine in April and subsequently concluded the agreement. The change allows Ukrainians to travel to the Schengen area without a visa for business, tourism or family visits up to 90 days in a 180-day period, but not to work. After Slovakia, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Poland announced the complete closure of their national borders in mid-March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Some controls may be justified, but general travel bans are not considered the most effective by the World Health Organisation. In addition, they have a strong social and economic impact, disrupting the lives of people and businesses across borders. [166] Von der Leyen also apologized to Italy, amid widespread discontent among Italians over the lack of solidarity in Europe. [167] By the end of March 2020, almost all internal Schengen borders had been closed to non-essential travel. .