Latest news with #intra-Schengen
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Schengen limits tighten as Belgium introduces border checks to curb migration
Belgium will begin border checks this summer to curb illegal migration and prevent asylum seekers from entering the country after being turned away elsewhere in Europe. The move marks a shift away from the open-border policy of the Schengen zone and adds to a growing trend of migration restrictions across the continent. The checks will target key entry points, including motorway rest areas, bus routes, specific train lines, and intra-Schengen flights from countries facing high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy. A spokesperson for Belgium's junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, confirmed the plan on Friday. 'Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping,' Van Bossuyt posted on X. The announcement follows similar actions by Germany and the Netherlands and comes amid rising concern over migration levels, despite recent declines in arrivals on some major routes. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who took office in February, has made controlling migration a key priority for his government, which leans to the right politically. Live Events RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU World's most famous museum closes as over tourism overwhelms staff — Louvre shutdown sparks global alarm Spain gets new powers over visas, residence permits in Gibraltar Indians' Europe holiday faces a visa traffic jam Belgium, a member of the 29-country Schengen zone, is allowed to temporarily reinstate internal border checks under Article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code in response to security or migration pressures. While the Belgian Immigration Office did not provide updated figures on illegal entries, it cited the lack of systematic border checks as a barrier to accurate tracking. In 2024, Belgium received 39,615 asylum applications, up 11.6% from 2023. However, the country's reception system only had space for 35,600 people, leaving many without shelter.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown
FILE PHOTO: A large Belgium's flag is unfolded in Brussels, Belgium July 21, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/ File Photo BRUSSELS -Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone. The restrictions in the country that borders the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany will start this summer, a spokesperson for the junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, said on Friday. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said late on Thursday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesperson for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6% more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown
BRUSSELS -Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone. The restrictions in the country that borders the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany will start this summer, a spokesperson for the junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, said on Friday. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said late on Thursday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesperson for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6% more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Belgium announces border checks in migration clampdown
BRUSSELS: Belgium will introduce border checks on people coming into the country to clamp down on illegal migration, the government said, in another limit on free movement across Europe's Schengen zone. The restrictions in the country that borders the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and Germany will start this summer, a spokesman for the junior minister for migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, said today. "Time for entry controls. Belgium must not be a magnet for those stopped elsewhere. Our message is clear: Belgium will no longer tolerate illegal migration and asylum shopping," Van Bossuyt wrote on X. The announcement follows similar moves by the Netherlands and Germany, part of a broader crackdown on migration across the continent, even as numbers of arrivals on many major routes have shown signs of falling. "The checks will be carried out in a targeted manner on major access roads such as motorway car parks, on bus traffic ... on certain trains ... and on intra-Schengen flights from countries with high migration pressure, such as Greece and Italy," a Belgian government statement said yesterday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever, in office since February, has said curbing migration is a key priority for his right-leaning government. Belgium is part of the open-border Schengen area which guarantees free travel between its 29 member states. Under article 23 of the Schengen Borders Code, members can temporarily reinstate border checks in response to security or migration pressures. A spokesman for the Belgian Immigration Office said it was difficult to give figures for illegal immigration at the moment without the systematic border checks. Belgium, one of the world's richest countries, received 39,615 asylum applications in 2024, 11.6 per cent more than in 2023, numbers from the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers show. The country had the capacity to take in 35,600 applicants in 2024, according to the figures, leaving many arrivals without proper accommodation.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
European holiday planned for 2025? 10 Schengen countries have brought back internal border checks
Live Events Several Schengen member states have reintroduced internal border checks in 2025, marking a significant shift in the region's approach to freedom of movement. Germany, France, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Bulgaria have implemented border measures citing reasons such as irregular migration, terror threats, and regional instability. These actions, though permitted under Articles 25 and 29 of the Schengen Borders Code , represent an unprecedented level of internal control within the for instance, initiated controls in September 2024 across all its land borders. As of February 12, 2025, these controls remain in effect until at least mid-September. The country attributes the decision to irregular migration and the presence of smuggling networks. France, on the other hand, cites heightened terror threat levels and major event security. It began enforcing border controls from November 1, 2024, and will likely extend them beyond the current April 30, 2025 end Netherlands introduced a six-month control period from December 9, 2024, to manage increased migration, while Austria and Italy continue to monitor their borders due to ongoing migration flows. Slovenia has responded to regional instability by keeping controls active since December Northern Europe, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are maintaining checks through late 2025, each citing heightened security threats. Bulgaria, having partially joined the Schengen area in January 2025, is applying selective internal controls.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)For travelers, this shift means a return to identity verification at previously open borders. Visitors are now advised to carry passports or national ID cards, maintain proper documentation such as visas and accommodation proofs, and allow extra time for road and rail crossings. Even intra-Schengen flights may include document are encouraged to buffer travel times, particularly when crossing multiple borders. Students and cross-border workers are advised to stay updated on re-entry procedures and local ID policies. Transport and logistics firms are experiencing delays due to increased the return of internal checks, officials stress that Schengen's principles remain should consult the European Commission's Temporary Border Controls Tracker or respective immigration authorities before departure. The Schengen zone remains operational but is adapting to current geopolitical realities.
