The Schengen zone is the largest free movement of people and goods. 26 European countries have signed an agreement to abolish passport and immigration controls at borders between states.
cross the internal Schengen borders daily
The 2015 immigration crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have affected the Schengen Agreement’s main goal of free movement within the region: states have closed borders and imposed restrictions on entry, including for citizens of EU member states.
Closed borders within the Schengen arearninterfere with the functioning of the single European market, which guarantees the free movement of goods, capital, services and people across the territory of the European Union.
Restrictions have affected the daily life of citizens of border regions and those who work in another EU country. For example, German residents sometimes have to wait at the border for two hours to get to work in Belgium. Border guards check passengers for symptoms of the coronavirus.
living in one Schengen country and working in another
Border delays have affected tourism, local workers and cross-border services such as mail. The European Commission has estimated the direct cost of border delays at five billion euros per year.
Internal border controls have also been imposed in some countries because of increased illegal migration and terrorist attacks in Europe, such as in Germany, France, Austria and Denmark.
What changes await the Schengen zone
How to travel through Schengen without a visa
Residence permit by investment for visa-free entry to Schengen
🌎 Status and country | 💵 Investments |
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From €100,000 |
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From €112,000 |
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From €250,000 |
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From €300,000 |
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From €350,000 |
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From ₣ 450,000 |
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From €500,000 |
Citizens of Caribbean countries and Vanuatu also travel without a visa to Schengen countries. If the country is still closed to tourists, you can travel to Europe in 2021 with a passport of these countries if you have a good reason.
Caribbean passport for visa-free entry to Schengen
🌎 Status and country | 💵 Investments |
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From $ 100,000 |
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From $ 100,000 |
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From $ 100,000 |
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From $ 150,000 |
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From $ 150,000 |
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From $ 130,000 |