Project launched to review powers of the Border Guard at Schengen borders

A project has been launched to review whether the powers available to the Border Guard at the internal borders of the Schengen area need to be amended. The aim is to promote border security and to find out whether the powers of the Border Guard at internal borders are up-to-date compared to those of the border authorities of other EU Member States. 

Internal borders refer to borders between Schengen countries. The Schengen area covers 27 European countries which normally do not have travel restrictions or border controls between them. However, border controls may be temporarily introduced if necessary. The countries applying the Schengen acquis control the common external border, which contributes to ensuring the security of the area of free movement (Schengen area).

Review to cover situations where border controls have not been reintroduced at internal borders
The purpose of the project is to prepare a preliminary study on the powers of the authorities of other EU Member States at internal borders and to assess whether similar powers could or should be made available in the Finnish judicial. The project will cover situations where border controls have not been reintroduced at internal borders.

According to the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government, the Government will examine the need to increase the powers of the Border Guard at internal borders in accordance with the practices of other EU Member States and increase those powers as appropriate.
The review should be ready by the end of summer 2024. A separate decision will be made on whether to launch a law drafting project.

Inquiries:
Noora Nihtinen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 421 612, [email protected]