The Council of the European Union has given final approval to the updated Schengen Borders Code. This new regulation aims to enhance the Schengen Area's resilience in handling crises at external borders while ensuring EU residents continue to benefit from borderless travel.

The updated code will allow the adoption of EU-wide measures to restrict the entry of third-country nationals during health emergencies. Additionally, it will establish procedures to assist member states in managing the movement of migrants between countries and address issues related to instrumentalised migration.

Belgian Minister of the Interior, Institutional Reform, and Democratic Renewal, Annelies Verlinden, praised the adoption of the new Schengen Borders Code, stating that it will enable the EU to maintain borderless travel while securing its external borders.

Under the new Schengen Borders Code, member states will have the option to limit the number of open border crossing points or reduce their opening hours to enhance border surveillance.

The updated code also clarifies the rules for introducing and extending internal border controls. Member states can maintain internal border controls for up to two years. Before implementing these controls, they must notify the Commission, other member states, and the parliament.

While the maximum period for internal border controls is set at two years, member states can extend these measures for another six months, renewable once for a total duration of one year in major exceptional situations.

The regulation also allows for alternative measures, such as police checks and cross-border cooperation, to avoid internal border controls.

For third-country nationals caught in the border area and staying illegally in a member state, the regulation establishes a new transfer procedure.