- EU Council bibliography
- 16 ta' Ġunju 2025
Library guide on the Schengen area
The Schengen Agreement : a milestone in European integration
On 14 June 1985, five European countries – France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg – signed the Schengen Agreement, marking the beginning of the gradual removal of border checks between their territories.
Over the years, the Schengen area expanded and now includes 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Controls at the internal borders with Cyprus have not yet been lifted, and Ireland is not part of the Schengen area.
The abolition of internal border checks has significantly facilitated cross-border mobility, supporting the four freedoms: the free movement of people, capital, goods, and services. The Schengen area has brought substantial economic benefits to its citizens and businesses, while also fostering greater cooperation among police forces, customs authorities, and external border control agencies in all participating states.
Library guide on the Schengen area
In honour of the anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, the Council Library has curated a specially selected guide to key authoritative resources on the topic.
While the guide offers an overview of carefully chosen materials, it is not meant to be exhaustive.
Inside the guide, you'll discover a variety of resources, including books, eBooks, articles, think tank papers, EU publications, legislation, documents, websites, podcasts, and videos. These resources are invaluable for anyone researching European studies, EU law, or those simply intrigued by European history.
Delve a little deeper
For those interested in expanding their knowledge of European history, the Council Library has also compiled a series of additional library guides focused on pivotal EU treaties.
These will be especially useful for anyone who is researching European studies or EU law, or who is simply curious about the evolution of the European Union.
Each of these guides contains resources that provide valuable insights into the foundational treaties that have shaped the European Union.
Whether you're looking to understand the building blocks of European integration or explore the political and legal frameworks that govern the EU, these resources offer a wealth of knowledge.
This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.
The Council Library reading room is open Monday to Friday from 12.30 to 15.30. The Info Desk operates during office hours from Monday to Friday.
It is open to all staff of the Council of the European Union and the European Council, trainees, permanent representations of member states, staff of other EU institutions and bodies, and to researchers and students upon request.
Access to some library holdings may be restricted to on-site consultation.