Some 83% of businesses in the EU27 believe that the Schengen area is ‘good for business in their country’.
According to a Eurobarometer study, a similar percentage (81%) state that the Schengen area is ‘one of the EU’s main achievements’, while seven in ten (70%) believe it to have ‘more advantages than disadvantages’.
A third of EU firms say that being in the Schengen area helps to lower costs, due to the absence of internal border controls, the study found.
Knowledge about the Schengen area
While firms largely agree that the Schengen area is good for business, just over two thirds have actually heard of it, and understand what it is.
The largest percentage of businesses that have not heard of the Schengen area is in Spain, where 36% have never heard of it, and 18% have heard of it, but are unsure what it is.
Other high percentages are seen in Cyprus, where 35% have never heard of it, and 14% have heard of it, but are unsure. Belgium (18%), Italy (18%), and Portugal (16%), also boast notable percentages of businesses that have never heard of the Schengen area.
Generally positive views
In general, views about the Schengen area are generally positive among European companies. Over 80% of businesses either fully agree (49%) or tend to agree (34%) that the Schengen area benefits their country’s economy.
Approximately a quarter (24%) of respondents highlight that being in the Schengen area is important for their clients.
When asked whether their company is positively influenced by being in the Schengen area, 33% pointed to reduced costs due to the absence of border controls, 24% cited the importance for clients, 22% listed other reasons, while 37% felt their company wasn’t positively influenced, and 4% were uncertain. The full study can be found here.
