The European Union’s internal border-free Schengen zone faces growing challenges, not from migration, but from politically driven internal border controls and a lack of accountability among member states.

The European Commission has prioritized protecting the Schengen zone by strengthening external borders and overhauling migration laws. However, its leniency toward member states imposing internal border controls, combined with a hardline stance on migration, is raising concerns about the long-term stability of the border-free area. Recent internal border checks between Spain and Italy have sparked criticism, with experts questioning whether such measures align with Schengen’s principles.

Despite significant investments in external border security and migration management, only half of EU member states have implemented the required measures under the EU’s migration and asylum pact. The pact, which aims to restore public trust and counter far-right narratives, has seen mixed results. While asylum applications have dropped significantly across the bloc, critics argue that the focus on migration overlooks the political motivations behind internal border restrictions.

The Schengen Borders Code permits internal border controls only as a last resort for serious threats to public safety or security. Yet, recent actions suggest these controls are increasingly being used for political purposes, undermining the spirit of Schengen. As the EU continues to grapple with these challenges, the future of free movement for 450 million citizens across 29 countries remains uncertain.