Free movement of persons, asylum and immigration
The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed to European Union (EU) citizens by the Treaties. It is realised through the area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders. Lifting internal borders requires strengthened management of the Union’s external borders as well as regulated entry and residence of non-EU nationals, including through a common asylum and immigration policy.
The concept of free movement of persons came about with the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985 and the subsequent Schengen Convention in 1990, which initiated the abolition of border controls between participating countries. Being part of the EU legal and institutional framework, Schengen cooperation has gradually been extended to include most EU Member States as well as some non-EU countries.
- FREE MOVEMENT OF EUROPEAN CITIZENS WITHIN THE UNION
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SCHENGEN INFORMATION SYSTEM II
- Legal instruments governing migration from SIS 1+ to SIS II
- Second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) – former 1st pillar regulation
- Second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) – former 3rd pillar decision
- Access of vehicle registration services to SIS II
- IT agency for the area of freedom, security and justice
- New functions for the Schengen Information System in the fight against terrorismArchives
- Improved effectiveness, enhanced interoperability and synergies between European databasesArchives
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PENETRATING EXTERNAL BORDERS
- Schengen Borders Code
- Local border traffic at external land borders
- Rapid border intervention teams (RABIT)
- European Agency for the Management of External Borders – Frontex
- External Borders Fund (2007-13)
- Obligation of air carriers to communicate passenger data
- Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security
- EU internal security strategy
- Next steps in border management in the EU
- European external border surveillance system (EUROSUR)
- Reinforcing the management of the EU's southern maritime borders
- VISAS
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ASYLUM
- European asylum system
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Minimal harmonisation of national legislation
- Minimum standards for procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status
- Conditions governing eligibility for refugee status or international protection
- Minimum standards on the reception of applicants for asylum in Member States
- Minimum guarantees for asylum procedures
- Temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons
- Cooperation and coordination of asylum systems
- Financial programmes
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IMMIGRATION AND RIGHTS OF NATIONALS OF NON-EU COUNTRIES
- Immigration policy
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Entry and residence
- Uniform format for residence permits
- Admission and residence of researchers from third countries
- Entry and residence of highly qualified workers (EU Blue Card)
- Conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service
- Residence permit for victims of human trafficking
- Status of non-EU nationals who are long-term residents
- Family reunification
- Single application procedure for a residence and work permit and a common set of rights for Non-EU Member Country workers
- Limitations on the admission of third-country nationals for the purpose of pursuing activities as self-employed persons
- Limitations on the admission of third-country nationals for employment
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Illegal immigration
- Defining the facilitation of illegal immigration
- Penal framework for preventing the facilitation of illegal immigration
- Sanctions against the employment of illegally staying non-EU nationals
- Financial penalties on carriers
- Immigration liaison officers' network
- Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea
- Policy priorities in the fight against illegal immigration
- Links between legal and illegal immigration
- Return and expulsion
- Information and cooperation
- Financial programmes
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RELATIONS WITH NON-EU COUNTRIES
- Strengthening the Global Approach to Migration
- Migration: Global Approach to the Eastern and South-Eastern regions of the EU
- Circular migration and mobility partnerships
- Towards a comprehensive European migration policy
- Cooperation with Non-EU Member Countries in the areas of migration and asylum
- The external dimension of the area of freedom, security and justice
- Migration and development: some concrete orientations
- Integration of concerns related to migration within the external policyArchives
See also
- Fight against trafficking in human beings
- Overviews of European Union: Justice, freedom and security