Schengen, this unknown: Italians can move freely without knowing it

Brussels – Schengen, this unknown: the agreements allowing the free movement of people between EU member states are one of the most tangible results of the integration process and an everyday freedom. A ‘normality’ that is so common that Italians do not know what they are talking about when they mention the city where, in 1985, the agreements that abolished border controls were signed. Strange, yet true. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, only four out of ten Italians (42 percent) have heard of Schengen and know what it is and what it means. The rest either know it is there but cannot say what it is (29 percent) or have never even heard of it (29 percent). 

However, if asked if Italy is part of the Schengen zone, everyone (almost) answers ‘yes’ (90 percent): a situation of ignorance mixed with confusion as a broad majority of men and women in Italy have no idea if they have traveled at least once in the free movement area in the past year. Despite having left their homes and cities for a few days, eight out of ten respondents (80 percent) do not know if they have done so while staying within the Schengen area. 

That’s not the end of it. Before being interviewed by Eurobarometer staff, most Italians (63 percent) were unaware that there is police and customs cooperation between member states to prevent abuse of this abolition of controls by ill-intentioned people. Lacking an awareness of what the European Union means in everyday life, Italians struggle to distinguish between internal and external borders, not knowing that external border control measures exist (60 percent). It indicates fertile grounds for a political approach emphasizing immigration control and security in its election campaign and the everyday debate. 

It is certainly no feat for Italy, a founding country of the European Union, as the current government repeatedly recalled and claimed to obtain an executive vice-presidency in the Commission for Raffaele Fitto. Italians show that they live freely, wandering around without knowing it. Perhaps this is due to a ruling class that is inattentive to explanations or takes many things for granted.

Eunews, with its glossary on the European Union, offers everyone a chance to inform themselves and refresh their memories. Happy reading!