A notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council of the European Union schedules a meeting of the Working Party for Schengen Matters, including a mixed committee with associated states (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein), for 3 July 2026. The meeting will focus on Schengen governance, evaluations, and follow-up actions to enhance internal security while maintaining free movement.
The agenda includes adoption of the meeting agenda, followed by a follow-up to the June 2026 Schengen Council meeting and work plan for the second semester, with presentations by the Presidency and the European Commission. An update on the Schengen Barometer+ (document 8991/26) will be presented, with an exchange of views among member states. The meeting will also discuss implementation of Priority Actions for the Schengen Council cycle 2026-2027, focusing on increasing internal security while preserving free movement, including best practices from Switzerland and Croatia, and input from Europol. An update on ongoing and planned Schengen evaluation activities, including periodic and thematic evaluations by the Commission, is also on the agenda. Under any other business, the state of play of the Schengen evaluation of Cyprus will be discussed.
The meeting involves representatives from EU member states and associated countries, as well as EU agencies such as Frontex, eu-LISA, and Europol. The discussions aim to strengthen Schengen governance through coordinated follow-up and work planning, enhance monitoring of Schengen performance via the Barometer+ tool, and improve internal security measures balanced with free movement objectives. Sharing of best practices among member states and associated countries is expected to contribute to more effective implementation of Schengen rules. Continued evaluation processes may lead to recommendations for Cyprus and other states. The involvement of EU agencies in key agenda items underscores the multi-agency approach to Schengen governance.