NEWS
Council calls for stronger measures on EU borders
7 Dec 15
EUROPEAN UNION
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Council of the European Union has called for “accelerating the implementation” of a number of border control measures in the wake of the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
What does the change mean? The Council has proposed checking EU nationals’ biometric information at external borders, ensuring that EU member states have access to relevant Interpol databases when conducting border checks, and registering third-country nationals who enter the EU illegally. While the recommendations have not received final approval, the measures would lead to longer wait times when entering the EU, including for EU nationals.
- Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
- Who is affected: Anyone entering the EU, including EU nationals and others who enjoy freedom-of-movement privileges.
- Business impact: Business and other travelers would face longer wait times and enhanced security checks at the EU’s external borders.
- Next steps: The Council called on the Council’s Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security to work with the appropriate working groups, agencies and the European Commission to ensure “effective implementation of the operational measures” it endorsed.
Background: Many of the measures the Council called for on Nov. 20 had already been recommended, but the Council stated that officials should accelerate the implementation of the security proposals.
Among border control measures, the Council called on the EU to implement “systematic and coordinated” checks at external borders, including for EU nationals; upgrade Schengen countries’ border control systems to provide access to relevant Interpol databases and automatic screening of all travel documents; register and take fingerprints from third-country nationals who enter the Schengen area illegally; deploy border intervention teams and police officers to areas of the EU’s borders that are “most exposed” to illegal crossings; and develop a proposal for a “targeted revision” of the Schengen Border Code to provide for verification of biometric information from EU nationals at external borders.
The Council also recommended collecting more data on air travel, strengthening firearms laws and developing new strategies to target terrorism financing.
BAL Analysis: Europe has been grappling for months over how best to control its external and internal borders as it deals with the biggest migration crisis since World War II and threats from terrorist groups. The Council’s endorsement of external border control measures, while not binding, could set the stage for enhanced security and longer wait times for travelers entering Europe. BAL will continue to follow Europe’s border policy debate and will alert clients to any significant developments.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@balglobal.com.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@balglobal.com.
Related News
-
Croatia on way toward joining Schengen Area
EUROPEAN UNION, CROATIA 13 Dec 19
-
EU moves to reform Schengen visas for business...
EUROPEAN UNION 16 Apr 19
-
EU staff and Brexit: 5 questions for every...
EUROPEAN UNION 18 Mar 19
-
Some EU countries slow to implement regulation that...
EUROPEAN UNION 1 Mar 19
-
Regulation reduces document-authentication steps
EUROPEAN UNION 18 Feb 19
-
Minimum salaries set for 2019
EUROPEAN UNION 1 Feb 19
-
EU directive on students, researchers, interns being adopted...
EUROPEAN UNION 28 Nov 18
-
European Commission proposes Schengen ‘smart borders’ system
EUROPEAN UNION 5 Oct 18
-
Study compares countries’ implementation of ICT Directive
EUROPEAN UNION 28 Sep 18
-
EU Council approves electronic travel authorization system
EUROPEAN UNION 11 Sep 18
-
EU summit places common European migration policy on...
EUROPEAN UNION 5 Jul 18
-
EU adopts directive on revised posted worker rules
EUROPEAN UNION 14 Jun 18
-
EU Court of Justice: Derived residency rights extend...
EUROPEAN UNION 8 Jun 18
-
ICT card delays continue
GERMANY 2 May 18
-
Future Schengen entry/exit system to be automated
EUROPEAN UNION 23 Apr 18
-
Changes to Schengen visas proposed
EUROPEAN UNION 28 Mar 18
-
Brexit transition deal reached
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 20 Mar 18
-
ICT card issuance delayed due to system error
GERMANY, EUROPEAN UNION 22 Feb 18
-
EU calls for vote on whether Polish reforms...
EUROPEAN UNION, POLAND 22 Dec 17
-
Brexit deal reached on citizens’ rights, Irish border
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND 8 Dec 17
-
Brexit negotiations hit roadblock over Irish border issue
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND 6 Dec 17
-
EU court clarifies rights of family members of...
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 22 Nov 17
-
Government sets out details of registration system for...
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 7 Nov 17
-
EU labor ministers reach agreement on posted workers
EUROPEAN UNION 24 Oct 17
-
Germany, other EU countries to extend border controls
GERMANY, EUROPEAN UNION 19 Oct 17
-
U.S. State Department renews travel alert for Europe
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 6 Sep 17
-
E-gates to streamline airport clearance
EUROPEAN UNION, IRELAND 22 Aug 17
-
UK proposes interim customs union post-Brexit
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 15 Aug 17
-
EU citizens’ rights tops Brexit agenda
UNITED KINGDOM 3 Jul 17
-
EU-Ukraine visa-free agreement takes effect
EUROPEAN UNION, UKRAINE 9 Jun 17
-
Chavez-Vilchez case clarifies parent of EU child may...
EUROPEAN UNION 12 May 17
-
EU will not impose visa requirement on U.S....
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 5 May 17
-
European Commission aims to cut red tape with...
EUROPEAN UNION 3 May 17
-
State Department renews travel alert for Europe
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 2 May 17
-
EU Council president outlines Brexit priorities
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 28 Apr 17
-
EU taking strong stance with UK on Brexit...
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 12 Apr 17
-
EU approves visa waiver for Ukraine
EUROPEAN UNION, UKRAINE 7 Apr 17
-
EU-Georgia visa-free agreement takes effect
EUROPEAN UNION, GEORGIA 31 Mar 17
-
European Parliament urges visa requirement for U.S. travelers
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 2 Mar 17
-
EU approves visa waiver for Georgia
EUROPEAN UNION, GEORGIA 15 Feb 17
-
EU moves toward security checks for all travelers...
EUROPEAN UNION 7 Dec 16
-
State Department issues travel alert for Europe
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 23 Nov 16
-
EU proposes new system for visa-waived travelers
EUROPEAN UNION 17 Nov 16
-
European Commission recommends prolonging internal border checks for...
EUROPEAN UNION 27 Oct 16
-
EU authentication rules finalized
EUROPEAN UNION 11 Aug 16
-
Brexit update: New prime minister, other developments
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 11 Jul 16
-
Visa-waiver reciprocity deadline nears
CANADA, EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED STATES 11 Jul 16
-
Countdown to UK’s ‘Brexit’ referendum
EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM 17 Jun 16
-
EU moves to harmonize regulations for non-EU students...
EUROPEAN UNION 13 Jun 16
-
Document rules to be eased for EU citizens...
EUROPEAN UNION 10 Jun 16
-
Broader, more flexible EU Blue Card Directive proposed
EUROPEAN UNION 8 Jun 16
-
EU Council seeks to expand grounds for suspension...
EUROPEAN UNION 23 May 16
-
European Commission recommends visa waiver for Turkey
EUROPEAN UNION 4 May 16
-
Schengen visa waiver proposed for Ukraine
EUROPEAN UNION, 21 Apr 16
-
Results of EU Blue Card consultation published
EUROPEAN UNION 13 Apr 16
-
European Commission issues report on visa reciprocity with...
EUROPEAN UNION 12 Apr 16
-
EU agrees to faster progress on Turkey visa...
EUROPEAN UNION, TURKEY 24 Mar 16
-
EU commission proposes changes on rules for posted...
EUROPEAN UNION 10 Mar 16
-
European Commission proposes road map to restore Schengen
EUROPEAN UNION 9 Mar 16
-
EU countries continue border checks, as ministers warn...
EUROPEAN UNION 24 Feb 16
-
Deadline for Greece may impact Schengen region
EUROPEAN UNION, GREECE 16 Feb 16
-
EU countries discuss national border control extensions
EUROPEAN UNION 25 Jan 16
-
The year ahead: Immigration trends to look for...
AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, CANADA, SWITZERLAND, CHINA, EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM, GLOBAL, SINGAPORE, UNITED STATES, SOUTH AFRICA 6 Jan 16
-
Colombian visa-free travel to Schengen Area begins today
COLOMBIA, EUROPEAN UNION 3 Dec 15
-
European officials discuss reintroducing border security measures
EUROPEAN UNION 27 Aug 15
-
Employers have more time to comment on EU...
EUROPEAN UNION 25 Aug 15
-
Biometrics to be required of Russian applicants for...
EUROPEAN UNION, RUSSIAN FEDERATION 21 Aug 15
-
Croatian transitional period ends, 8 more countries open...
EUROPEAN UNION 6 Jul 15
-
Greek crisis may threaten free movement of migrants
EUROPEAN UNION 30 Jun 15
-
European Commission initiates public consultation on EU Blue...
EUROPEAN UNION 2 Jun 15
-
Business immigration changes proposed in European migration agenda
EUROPEAN UNION 18 May 15
-
EU, UAE ink visa-free travel agreement
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, EUROPEAN UNION 7 May 15
-
Court rejects Germany’s language proficiency requirement
EUROPEAN UNION 15 Jul 14
-
Countries slow to adopt single work-and-residence permit
EUROPEAN UNION 6 Jun 14
-
Parliament agrees to common rules for non-EU intracompany...
EUROPEAN UNION 17 Apr 14