Migrant crisis threatens EU's prized Schengen system

Several EU countries have reintroduced border checks as Europe struggles under the strain of its worst migrant crisis since World War II, threatening to undermine the bloc's cherished passport-free Schengen zone.

EU President Donald Tusk warned on Thursday Europe faces a "race against time" to save the 20-year-old system, which is seen as one of the union's most concrete achievements.

Under the Schengen agreement people can travel without showing their passports at the zone's internal borders, barring exceptional circumstances.

Temporary border controls are allowed for reasons of "public policy or internal security".

Here is the state of play for Schengen, which includes 22 of the EU's 28 member states -- all except Britain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania --  plus non-EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland:

- Border controls -

GERMANY: Berlin, which on September 13 introduced temporary border checks amid a massive influx of migrants mainly through Austria, has extended controls to mid-February 2016.
THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA: These two transit countries, fearing an influx of migrants after Germany's move, have adopted similar measures at their borders.

AUSTRIA: While giving migrants transport facilities to the German border, Austria on September 14 reinstated controls on the border with Hungary. The measure has been extended to February.

On Friday Austria announced it would erect a 3.7-kilometre (2.3-mile) metal fence along its border with Slovenia to better manage the influx. It will be the first fence between two members of the passport-free zone.

THE NETHERLANDS: Dutch authorities have carried out selective border checks, including at airports, since mid-September.

SWEDEN: Long a preferred destination for people fleeing war and poverty, Sweden reinstated border controls on November 12.

Initially planned for 10 days, the controls may be extended for a maximum of six months and are concentrated on the Oresund bridge, which links Sweden with Denmark, and ferries from Denmark and Germany on the Baltic Sea.

FRANCE: On Friday, France reintroduced border checks as it tightens security ahead of UN climate talks in Paris starting November 30.

- External borders -
On the Schengen zone's external borders, Hungary and Slovenia have set up barriers with countries which are not members of the agreement.

HUNGARY: Budapest set up a 175-kilometre (108-mile) barrier with Serbia and sealed border crossing points on September 15.

In mid-October Budapest also closed its border with Croatia after rolling out barbed wire along the part of the frontier not bordered by the Drava river.

The two crossings at Beremend and Letenji are open for those with valid travel documents, but are closed to those without visas.

SLOVENIA: Slovenia last month found itself on the so-called Balkan migrant route after Hungary sealed its borders with Croatia and Serbia.

It announced on November 11 it was erecting razor-wire fence along the border with fellow EU member Croatia.
Source: AFP