External border of the European Union
The border of the European Union consists of the land borders that member states of the EU share with non-EU states adjacent to the union.
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Border status and cooperation
In 2004 the European Union developed the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) for the promotion of cooperation between the EU and its neighbours to the east and south of the European territory of the EU (i.e., excluding its outermost regions outside of Europe),[1] which, in part, includes the Cross-Border Cooperation programme aimed at the promotion of economic development in border areas and ensuring border security.[2]
External border control
The Border and Coast Guard Agency, more commonly known as Frontex, was established in 2004. Its main task is external border control of the Schengen Area. Most of its activities are coordinated with the coast and border guards of member states.
List of bilateral land borders
Current external borders
Border | Member state | Non-member state | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Austria–Liechtenstein border | Austria | Liechtenstein | Schengen border[note 1] |
Austria–Switzerland border | Austria | Switzerland | Schengen border[note 1] |
Bulgaria–North Macedonia border | Bulgaria | North Macedonia | |
Bulgaria–Serbia border | Bulgaria | Serbia | |
Bulgaria–Turkey border | Bulgaria | Turkey | |
Croatia–Bosnia and Herzegovina border | Croatia | Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
Croatia–Montenegro border | Croatia | Montenegro | |
Croatia–Serbia border | Croatia | Serbia | |
Cyprus–Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Cyprus | Akrotiri and Dhekelia (United Kingdom) | Akrotiri and Dhekelia are British overseas territories, and have never been a part of the EU |
Cyprus-Northern Cyprus border | Cyprus | Northern Cyprus | The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a self-proclaimed country covering the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus. Currently only Turkey recognises the independence of Northern Cyprus. |
Estonia–Russia border | Estonia | Russia | |
Finland–Norway border | Finland | Norway | Schengen border[note 1] |
Finland–Russia border | Finland | Russia | |
France–Andorra border | France | Andorra | |
France–Brazil border | France | Brazil | Located in French Guiana. |
France–Monaco border | France | Monaco | microstate border[note 2] |
France–Suriname border | France | Suriname | Located in French Guiana. |
France–Switzerland border | France | Switzerland | Schengen border[note 1] |
France-United Kingdom border | France | United Kingdom | Located in the Channel Tunnel[note 3] |
Germany–Switzerland border | Germany | Switzerland | Schengen border[note 1] |
Greece–Albania border | Greece | Albania | |
Greece–North Macedonia border | Greece | North Macedonia | |
Greece–Turkey border | Greece | Turkey | |
Hungary–Serbia border | Hungary | Serbia | |
Hungary–Ukraine border | Hungary | Ukraine | |
Italy–San Marino border | Italy | San Marino | microstate border[note 2] |
Italy–Switzerland border | Italy | Switzerland | Schengen border[note 1] |
Italy–Vatican City border | Italy | Vatican City | microstate border[note 2] |
Latvia–Belarus border | Latvia | Belarus | |
Latvia–Russia border | Latvia | Russia | |
Lithuania–Belarus border | Lithuania | Belarus | |
Lithuania–Russia border | Lithuania | Russia | |
Poland–Belarus border | Poland | Belarus | |
Poland–Russia border | Poland | Russia | |
Poland–Ukraine border | Poland | Ukraine | |
Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border | Ireland | United Kingdom | |
Romania–Moldova border | Romania | Moldova | |
Romania–Serbia border | Romania | Serbia | |
Romania–Ukraine border | Romania | Ukraine | |
Slovakia–Ukraine border | Slovakia | Ukraine | |
Spain–Andorra border | Spain | Andorra | |
Spain–Gibraltar border | Spain | Gibraltar (United Kingdom) | Gibraltar is a British overseas territory |
Spain–Morocco border | Spain | Morocco | |
Sweden–Norway border | Sweden | Norway | Schengen border[note 1] |
- Internal Schengen border, no border control, although there may be customs control due to the external EU border status
- Open border to microstates, minimal border control
- The 1992 Treaty of Canterbury draw a land border between France and the United Kingdom in the Chunnel.
Special cases
border | state A | state B | notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cyprus–Northern Cyprus border | Cyprus | Northern Cyprus | Northern Cyprus is a de facto state recognised only by Turkey. Its territory is considered by the international community to be part of the Republic of Cyprus, a EU member. |
France–Netherlands border | France | Netherlands | The border between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten. Both countries are in the EU, but this is not a Schengen border, as the territories are not in Schengen. See Franco-Dutch treaty on Saint Martin border controls. |
Former external borders
Border | From | Until |
---|---|---|
Austria–Czech Republic border | 1995 | 2004 |
Austria–(West) Germany border | 1958 | 1995 |
Austria–Hungary border | 1995 | 2004 |
Austria–Italy border | 1958 | 1995 |
Austria–Slovakia border | 1995 | 2004 |
Austria–Slovenia border | 1995 | 2004 |
Denmark–West Germany border | 1958 | 1973 |
France–Spain border | 1958 | 1986 |
West German–East German border | 1958 | 1990 |
Germany–Czech Republic border (previously (West) Germany–Czechoslovakia border) |
1958, 1990 |
2004 |
Germany–Poland border | 1990 | 2004 |
Italy–Slovenia border border (previously Italy–Yugoslavia border) |
1958 | 2004 |
Hungary–Romania border | 2004 | 2007 |
Greece–Bulgaria border | 1981 | 2007 |
Hungary–Croatia border | 2004 | 2013 |
Slovenia–Croatia border | 2004 | 2013 |
See also
References
- What is the European Neighbourhood Policy?
- "The new European Neighbourhood Instrument: providing increased support to the EU's partners". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-03-14.
External links
- Grigore Silaşi, Ovidiu Laurian Simina (eds.), Migration, Mobility and Human Rights at the Eastern Border of the European Union: Space of Freedom and Security, 2008, Editura Universităţii de Vest, ISBN 978-973-125-160-8