Tourism is one of the most vibrant industries in the EU: it brings people together, promotes cultural understanding and fosters economic growth. How does the EU support and enhance tourism and how does it ensure that travel is more sustainable, accessible and beneficial for all?

How the EU shapes tourism across Europe

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Corrupt large-scale sale of Schengen visas

LIBE vote -  Amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders

EP Plenary session - Short presentation - Accession to the Schengen area

' Use of the Schengen System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals '

LIBE hearing: ' The Schengen cooperation: present and future '

EP President, Roberta METSOLA, opens the plenary session with a statement on the full accession to Schengen of Romania and Bulgaria. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on Romania and Bulgaria full accession to Schengen

Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs that the Commission is requesting further details from the Hungarian government about this expansion.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner, and by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs

MEPs debate on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs that the Commission is requesting further details from the Hungarian government about this expansion.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: MEPs debate (part 1)

Opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s LIBE Committee that the Commission is requesting further details. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Closing statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: closing statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Second part of the debate.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 2)

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. First part of the debate.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 1)

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Opening statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: opening statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) votes on its position on the reform of the Schengen Borders Code (Union Code), which include new rules governing the movement of persons across borders. MEPs want to ensure a coherent EU response in cases of large-scale public cross-border health emergencies, allowing temporary restrictions on entering the Schengen area, but exempting from them EU citizens, long-term residents and asylum-seekers. As an alternative to border controls, the new rules would promote police cooperation in border regions. MEPs also argue that the provisions on the instrumentalisation of migrants should be covered by a separate proposal. Extracts from the vote and statement by Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&D, FR), Rapporteur.

Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders: extracts from the vote, statement by Sylvie GUILLAUME (S&D, FR), Rapporteur

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates to the European Council meeting on the 15th December in Brussels. She gives a press conference and talks about the latest updates on the ongoing investigations in Belgium involving some members and staff of the European Parliament, the accession to Schengen of Bulgaria and Romania, the USA "Inflation Reduction Act", the RePowerEU plan, thanks the Czech presidency of the EU and welcome the upcoming Swedish Presidency.

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the European Council meeting 15/12

MEPs debate the decision by the Council to not extend the travel-free Schengen area to Romania and Bulgaria. Extracts from the debate in plenary.

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: extracts from the debate

Plenary back Croatia’s Schengen accession. MEPs agree that the country already fulfils the necessary conditions to join the free-travel zone, and the Council must now take a unanimous decision to lift the remaining border controls between the Schengen area and Croatia. Extracts from the debate in the plenary.

Council decision on Schengen acquis in Croatia: extracts from the debate and the vote

MEPs review the rules about temporary border controls within the Schengen free-movement area, and adopt a resolution on Bulgaria and Romania’s membership. Closing statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Continued internal border controls in the Schengen area, in light of the recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU: closing statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

MEPs review the rules about temporary border controls within the Schengen free-movement area, and adopt a resolution on Bulgaria and Romania’s membership.

Continued internal border controls in the Schengen area in light of the recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU: MEPs debate

MEPs review the rules about temporary border controls within the Schengen free-movement area, and adopt a resolution on Bulgaria and Romania’s membership. Opening statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Continued internal border controls in the Schengen area, in light of the recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU: opening statements by Ivan BARTOŠ, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

In the debate with the Commission and Council, MEPs call for the Schengen passport-free travel area to be completed swiftly by extending it to all EU member states who wish to participate. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs.

The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area: closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs

In the debate with the Commission and Council, MEPs call for the Schengen passport-free travel area to be completed swiftly by extending it to all EU member states who wish to participate.

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