Union support for the Schengen area, for European integrated border management and for the common policy on visas 2028–2034
PURPOSE: to establish the Union's support for the Schengen area, European integrated border management and the common policy on visas for the period 2028-2034.
PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.
BACKGROUND: on 16 July 2025, the Commission unveiled its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 (MFF), a budget of nearly EUR 2 trillion between 2028 and 2034 designed to strengthen Europe's sovereignty, competitiveness and resilience.
In this context, this proposal, together with the proposal for a regulation establishing Union support for asylum, migration and integration and the proposal for a regulation establishing Union support for internal security, provide the specific legal framework for Union action in the areas of integrated management of Europe's external borders, the smooth functioning of the Schengen area and European visa policy, and the efficient management of migration flows and internal security for the period from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034.
In order to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the Schengen area without internal borders, it is essential to have a strong governance framework, effective integrated European border management and EU visa policy to ensure the integrity and resilience of the Schengen area. It is therefore appropriate to support the efforts of Member States to protect the Union's external borders, to combat illegal border crossings and unauthorised movements between Member States, as well as to modernise and improve the overall efficiency of visa processing and prevent abuse of visa policy.
The proposal aims to address the need for greater flexibility in the management of Union support, including a stronger performance orientation, as well as increased simplification for all actors involved in its implementation.
CONTENT: the proposed regulation sets out the objectives and financing of Union support for integrated European border management and European visa policy for the period from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034.
Budget
The indicative financial envelope for the implementation of the objectives under Union support is set at EUR 15 396 750 000 in current prices for the period 2028-2034. This Union support will be provided under the horizontal rules of the European Fund for Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Prosperity and Security.
Objectives for Union support
In order to ensure a strong and efficient European integrated management of external borders, the smooth functioning of the Schengen area and the effectiveness of visa policy, Union support will contribute to the achievement of each of the following objectives:
- support the effective implementation, application and development of the Schengen framework and strengthen the governance, integrity and security of the Schengen area without internal borders;
- support effective integrated European management of external borders, implemented as a shared responsibility between the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and national border management authorities, using new technologies to facilitate legitimate border crossings, combat illegal immigration, cross-border crime and the instrumentalisation of migration, and promote effective returns;
- support a harmonised approach to the timely issuance of visas and facilitate legitimate travel, while preventing migration and security risks.
Member States should ensure that the priorities of their National and Regional Partnership Plans include actions to achieve each of the objectives of the Union support under this Regulation, and, that the allocation of resources between objectives is proportionate to the identified challenges and needs.
The proposal includes provisions for financing EU aid, provisions for Schengen Associated Countries, and provisions for implementing the special transit scheme in Lithuania. Up to EUR 450 million will be allocated to Lithuania's National and Regional Partnership Plan to assist Lithuania in managing the transit of people between the Kaliningrad region and other parts of the Russian Federation.
The proposed regulation also lays down rules on the budgetary treatment of resources intended for the operating costs of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and rules on the budgetary treatment of financial contributions from Member States for the purposes of the annual solidarity pool established by Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council.