After decades committed to open borders, European nations are now building invisible walls within the Schengen Zone, risking a fracture in Europe’s unity. Instead of retreating behind barriers, member states should reinforce their shared external borders and renew their commitment to collective solutions. The EU’s future may well depend on preserving this core value. A sudden anti-immigration swerve could open a Pandora’s box, inviting a wave of similar populist moves which in turn threaten the EU’s future.
As the European migration surge continues, the reintroduction and prolonged use of temporary internal border checks within countries in the Schengen area, with the Netherlands being the latest country to do so, has become a contentious issue. The reintroduction of border checks undermines one of the EU’s foundational principles embodied with the Schengen Agreement: the free movement of people, which for decades has been central to Europe’s unity and shared prosperity.
Not long ago, such border restrictions popped up during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many Schengen countries reintroduced border controls to manage the health crisis. However, the EU must not allow a ‘new normal’ on this issue to emerge. Tackling the increased challenges to border security requires focus on alternative approaches.
While the challenges of migration undeniably call for a response, it should not be forgotten that countries have voluntarily surrendered parts of their sovereignty to create a stronger, unified bloc, resulting in significant benefits around freedom of movement for people, goods, and services. Now there are continuous challenges with migration, the quest for solutions should be pursued collaboratively around the Schengen area as a whole, not through individual nations and isolationist policies.
Imposing internal border checks results in an erosion of trust among member states. Paradoxically, this approach will only make it harder for countries to collaborate on shared challenges like migration, which require joint efforts and cooperation. That means while temporary border checks may seem like a quick fix, in the long term, they fracture the cohesion the EU has built.
Besides eroding unity and trust, these policies are also fueling populism, which is very dangerous for the European dream. Europe must not fight fire with fire. Responding to fears of populism with new populist measures only validates and empowers divisive forces. To counter rising right-wing populism, protecting Europe’s borders through collective EU action will be more effective.
History teaches us border closures and isolationist policies on the continent lead to fragmentation and tension rather than improved security. For instance, after World War I, the isolation contributed to economic strain and deepened distrust, setting the stage for further nationalism. It wasn’t until after World War II that Europe began opening its borders in an effort to foster collaboration, security, and peace. Today, freedom of movement within the Schengen area is one of the most notable achievements of the EU.
During the 2015 refugee crisis, reintroduced border controls only heightened nationalist rhetoric. A lack of coordinated response resulted in countries on the frontlines of the migration route like Greece and Italy feeling abandoned, while others like Hungary and Poland prioritised national interests over EU solidarity. Allowing the same mistakes in the future will only fuel the mistrust and populist leaders.
The EU must get creative on tough policy issues, but that does not mean tolerating border checks. The focus must be on bolstering external border management and investing in systemic solutions like the ETIAS system for digital screening, which can pave the way for strengthening external EU-wide border management. Additionally, the New Pact on Migration and Asylum offers a coordinated framework which respects national concerns while strengthening collective responsibility, including fair burden-sharing and cooperation with non-EU countries to stabilise migration flows.
The EU can address migration challenges without compromising its core values. Conceding to populist demands only weakens the EU from within, risking a domino effect. Instead, countries should seek a solution in a collective action, collaboration, and stronger external borders, such as the ETIAS and the Migration Pact, to preserve Schengen’s integrity.
By focusing on collaboration and stronger external borders instead of conceding to populist calls for “fortress Europe” policies, the EU can build the resilience needed to face future challenges without risking the hard-won integration which has defined Europe for decades.
