Schengen

Politics

'A stupid prank'?: Why has Austria vetoed enlargement of Schengen area?

Austria voted against Bulgaria and Romania joining Europe's control-free travel zone, the Schengen area - although it did accept Croatia's entry. What are Vienna's arguments for rejecting the major expansion of the zone?

Politics

Austria vetoes Bulgaria and Romania joining Europe's Schengen area

Austria made it clear on Thursday it would veto EU members Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area in a move that angered many and was dubbed "a stupid prank" by one European leader.

European Union

EXPLAINED: Which Schengen area countries have border controls in place and why?

Borders within Europe's Schengen area are meant to be open but several countries have checks in place but are they legal and will they be forced to scrap them? Claudia Delpero explains the history and what's at stake.

European Union

Border controls between Austria and Germany to stay in place, Berlin confirms

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière announced on Thursday that Berlin would be extending border controls for a further six months, meaning checks will stay in place in the Alpine region.

Schengen

Austria pushes EU to make it easier to extend border checks

Austrian ministers said on Thursday that they want to change the rules governing Europe's passport-free Schengen zone so they can extend border controls that expire later this year.