Czech Republic's accession to the Schengen Area - Schengen area is denoted by the Member States which acceded to the Agreement allows its citizens to freely cross the border without having to go through customs. The area covers the European states and some overseas territories of the Member States.

The agreement was named after the Luxembourg village of Schengen, which was June 14, 1985 signed by the representatives of Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Gradually added other states, so the Schengen area now covers most of western, central and northern Europe.

Czech Republic to existing members joined December 21, 2007 (accession agreement was signed three years earlier). Together with her and entered into the Schengen Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Malta.

Schengen Agreement was preceded Saarbr�cken agreement concluded between Germany and France in 1984. They were joined by the Benelux countries, which have been previously linked customs and economic union.

Schengen countries introduced strict checks at its external borders, internal borders but virtually disappeared and residents of member countries can travel freely without any administrative procedures. Checks at internal borders may be renewed for a limited time, especially if it requires security situation.