40 Years of Schengen: How 5 Nations Built a Borderless Europe
From a 1985 agreement in Luxembourg to 29 member states today, the Schengen Zone revolutionized European travel and trust between nations.
Published on: June 19, 2025
Forty years ago, on June 14, 1985, five European nations gathered in the tiny Luxembourg village of Schengen to sign a revolutionary agreement that would reshape continental travel forever. What began as a pact between France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg has since grown into the world's largest border-free zone encompassing 29 countries.
The Birth of a Borderless Vision
The original Schengen Agreement was both simple and radical in its ambition: to create a Europe where citizens could move freely without passport checks, built on mutual trust between nations. This week marks the 40th anniversary of that historic moment that transformed how Europeans live, work, and travel.
From 5 to 29 Member States
The Schengen Zone's expansion reflects Europe's evolving political landscape:
- Original 1985 signatories: 5 nations
- Current membership: 29 countries
- Includes 4 non-EU members (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein)
This growth represents one of the most successful examples of international cooperation in modern history, though recent years have seen temporary border controls reintroduced during migration crises and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Lasting Legacy of Freedom
As Europe celebrates four decades of Schengen, the agreement stands as a testament to what nations can achieve through cooperation. While challenges remain, the zone continues to facilitate:
- Seamless travel for over 400 million citizens
- Economic integration across borders
- Culturally unified European identity
The Schengen Agreement's anniversary serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a reminder of the ongoing work needed to maintain this unprecedented zone of freedom.