Federal Council sends new rules on border controls out for consultation
Published: Wednesday, Jun 26th 2024, 11:20
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On Wednesday, the Federal Council submitted new rules for the introduction of border controls for consultation. This is in response to the European Union's adaptation of the Schengen Borders Code.
As a Schengen state, Switzerland is participating in the harmonization of regulations at the Schengen external and internal borders, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday. Amendments to the Federal Aliens and Integration Act are necessary.
According to the amended Schengen Borders Code, the conditions and procedures for the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls would be specified and supplemented, writes the Federal Council. Binding rules for dealing with threats to public health would also be introduced based on the experience gained during the coronavirus pandemic.
In these cases, the possibility of entry restrictions at the Schengen external borders will be provided for. A new transfer procedure will also be introduced to combat secondary movements within the Schengen area: If illegally present foreign nationals are apprehended in the border area as part of cross-border cooperation, they can be transferred more easily to the Schengen state from which they left.
Both asylum seekers and persons who have been granted international protection are explicitly excluded from this procedure.
The national procedure for the reintroduction of border controls remains the same in principle, writes the Federal Council. The decision as to whether a Schengen state wishes to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls remains with the individual states.
In February, the member states of the European Union (EU) agreed to amend the Schengen Borders Code. The Schengen area actually provides for free travel without passport controls and the unbureaucratic transportation of goods.
Also changes to the visa information system
On Wednesday, the Federal Council also submitted various amendments to ordinances for consultation in order to take account of the new EU regulations on the reform of the Visa Information System. According to the Federal Council, the EU's C-VIS system enables the visa, border, asylum and migration authorities to quickly and effectively check the necessary information on third-country nationals requiring a visa.
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