Heightened Entry Scrutiny During G7 Summit

Travelers to member states of the Schengen Area should be prepared for tighter security measures on entry during the next two weeks. In particular, heightened scrutiny should be expected for entry to Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands, due to state visits by U.S. President Barack Obama and a G7 summit on nuclear security.

In addition, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands or other Schengen countries may elect to restore strict border checks for travel between Schengen countries with little notice. Schengen member states are permitted to temporarily suspend the free movement of people for a limited period due to scheduled special events or security concerns. Normally, individuals may travel within the Schengen Area without immigration inspection at the borders of its member states.

Schengen Area member states include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

What This Means for Foreign Nationals

Anyone traveling to a Schengen country from outside of the Schengen Area, including EU nationals, should be prepared for heightened scrutiny upon entry. Travelers should ensure that they travel with all necessary documentation and be ready for close questioning by border officials.

Though border checks have not been implemented at this time for intra-European travel, individuals with travel plans between Schengen countries over the next two weeks should prepare for that possibility. Note that if internal border checks are introduced, they will apply to EU nationals as well as third-country nationals.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].