Schengen area agreement re-examined

The European Commission will formally re-examine the Schengen area agreement in June 2011, following a request from France and Italy. The European heads of state meeting will look at whether limitations on Schengen's applicability should be introduced following a large influx of immigrants to the EU fleeing the North African political unrest.

Since 1985 the Schengen area agreement has allowed non-EU nationals to travel within the member countries without needing to obtain visas, if they are based in another of the member states. The UK is not a party to the agreement.

For more information please contact: Nicolas Rollason on +44 (0)20 7814 1200 or at nrollason@kingsleynapley.co.uk.