Schengen Borders Code

1. Date of issuance

Adopted on 9 March 2016.

2. Effective date 

Entered into force upon publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and is directly applicable in all Member States.

3. English title

Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Union Code on the Rules Governing the Movement of Persons across Borders (Schengen Borders Code).

4. Summary

The Schengen Borders Code (SBC) establishes common rules for the control of persons crossing the external borders of EU Member States participating in the Schengen Area, and lays down conditions for the temporary reintroduction of controls at internal borders.
Key provisions include:
– Conditions for the entry of third-country nationals;
– The use of entry and exit stamps to verify duration of stay;
– Counter-terrorism and irregular migration checks;
– Minimum procedural rights for persons refused entry.

The SBC also allows Member States to reintroduce or restrict internal border controls in exceptional cases (e.g., threats to national security or irregular migration), but such measures must meet the principles of necessity and proportionality to preserve the freedom of movement.

5. Detailed content 

Available for download here.

Translated by Vũ Hưng.