Between Freedom of Movement and Hard Borders: The Introduction and Extension of ‘Temporary’ Internal Border Controls in the Schengen Area

Freedom of movement within the Schengen Area is a cornerstone of European integration. Yet, in 2015, several Schengen states re-introduced internal border controls at their national borders as a response to the crisis of migration management in Europe. The extent to which the introduction of these border controls should be understood as a challenge to the Schengen Agreement, and potentially signals its disintegration, is contested. Whereas some have argued that the member state’s reactions to the refugee crisis in 2015, with the re- nationalisation of border control, indicates a lack of confidence in the EU institutions, others have argued that the refugee crisis has deepened cooperation on border security in the EU. This paper contributes to the study of border management within the EU by analysing the introduction and subsequent extension of temporary internal border controls in the case of Sweden. The results indicate that there is a tension also within Sweden’s communications to its European counterparts, as national security is prioritised over adhering to the full extent of the Schengen agreement.