Establishment of the Schengen Area

For most Europeans, the freedom of movement is a cherished tenet of the EU. The 1995 creation of the Schengen Area removed internal border controls for EU citizens. Under the agreement, EU citizens could move freely within the initial seven Schengen member countries, which dramatically changed the ability to travel, live, work, and study within the EU. Twenty-six countries are now Schengen members.