(fra kommisjonsbeslutningen) 

(1)    For four decades, Schengen has profoundly shaped daily life in Europe, standing as one of the most tangible expressions of our shared freedom, security and European identity. It has facilitated the free movement of people, strengthened mutual trust between Member States, and contributed to the economic and social cohesion of the Union.  
(2)    As a strategic asset of the Union, Schengen requires sustained investment and commitment. The ongoing consolidation of Schengen governance reflects this imperative, with the objective of ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Schengen framework. The Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism is the key instrument at Union level to identify structural deficiencies, particularly those with potential spillover effects, and reinforce mutual trust among Schengen countries. 
(3)    Regulation (EU) 2022/922 establishes an evaluation and monitoring mechanism to regularly verify the performance of Member States in the implementation of the Schengen acquis and their contribution to maintaining an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured. The Commission Implementing Decision C(2023) 57  establishes a multiannual evaluation programme on the basis of which each Member State is to undergo one periodic evaluation during the period 2023-2029 and may also undergo unannounced evaluations. 
(4)    Pursuant to Implementing Decision C(2023) 57, the periodic evaluation of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Liechtenstein is to be carried out in 2026.
(5)    To step up implementation, the Schengen Coordinator will continue to be closely and actively engaged in the evaluation and monitoring processes. The resulting Schengen country reports will be presented to the European Parliament and the Schengen Council as part of the 2025–2026 Schengen cycle. This will enhance their capacity to provide informed and coherent political steering on matters essential to the effective functioning of the Schengen area.
(6)    In the context of Cyprus’s first-time evaluation, any additional activity required to complete the process may be undertaken in 2026, with a view to enabling the Commission to confirm Cyprus’ technical readiness to the Council. As for Ireland, the results of the ongoing evaluation are scheduled for presentation to the Council in 2026. 
(7)    Throughout the year, monitoring activities will continue to be implemented to assess the fulfilment of the action plans and the thorough application of the Schengen acquis. In this regard, verification visits should be carried out in 2026 as well as revisits to Greece, France and Hungary. Additional visits may be scheduled based on the outcomes of the 2025 Schengen Scoreboards, to be established in December 2025. 
(8)    The Commission confirms its readiness to organise unannounced visits whenever it becomes aware of emerging situations which may seriously distort the functioning of the Schengen area.
(9)    In the context of broader efforts to streamline and simplify Union procedures, the Commission ensures that the implementation of the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism is focused on addressing core structural issues, with an emphasis on the essential elements of both the internal and external dimensions of Schengen. The monitoring phase should be streamlined to minimise administrative burden, while increasing its effectiveness and rigor.
(10)    To ensure the highest level of preparedness, it will also be necessary to identify and address Schengen-wide shortcomings that undermine the collective capacity to respond to current and future challenges. The 2026 State of Schengen Report will therefore again assess the strategic outcomes of the evaluation and monitoring activities, with recommended actions to close legal, policy and governance gaps through coordinated action at Union level to safeguard the integrity and resilience of Schengen. 
(11)    The ongoing enlargement of the European Union underscores the need to uphold the highest standards within the Schengen area. Ensuring the robustness of the Schengen framework is essential not only for safeguarding the integrity of an area without internal borders, but also for preparing future Member States to fully meet the obligations of Union membership which includes the Schengen framework. The degree to which the Schengen area is strengthened and made more resilient will play a decisive role in ensuring that enlargement translates into mutual benefits and the successful integration of new Member States. In 2026, support for candidate countries will continue be intensified through deeper integration, including targeted preparatory measures to ensure full alignment with Schengen standards.
(12)    The risk analyses submitted by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Europol and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights as well as the replies from Member States to the standard questionnaire and the information from third parties are critical elements for the implementation of the annual programme, in accordance with Articles 7 to 11 and Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2022/922.
(13)    In view of the need to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, consistency and quality in the conduct of evaluation and monitoring activities, the Commission will organise dedicated training activities in 2026, in accordance with the Schengen Evaluation Curriculum. All certified Schengen evaluators will be included in the pool of experts.
(14)    Regulation (EU) 2022/922 does not require that the annual evaluation programme identifies the sites to be visited. The detailed programme for each evaluation activity with exact sites and locations to be visited will be established by the Commission in close cooperation with the Member State country coordinator and the Member State concerned in accordance with that Regulation.
(15)    Given that Regulation (EU) 2022/922 builds upon the Schengen acquis, in accordance with Article 4 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark , annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark notified the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/922 of 9 June 2022 in its national law. It is therefore bound under international law to implement this Decision.
(16)    Ireland is taking part in this Decision, in accordance with Article 5(1) of Protocol No 19 on the Schengen acquis integrated into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of Council Decision 2002/192/EC .
(17)    As regards Iceland and Norway, this Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning their association with the implementation, application, and development of the Schengen acquis  which fall within the area referred to in Article 1 of Council Decision 1999/437/EC .
(18)    As regards Switzerland, this Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application, and development of the Schengen acquis , which fall within the area referred to in Article 1 of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC .
(19)    As regards Liechtenstein, this Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis  which fall within the area referred to in Article 1 of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2011/350/EU .
(20)    The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the committee, established by Article 30 of Regulation (EU) 2022/922,