EU Parliament calls for ‘Military Schengen’ to speed troop movements

The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for the creation of a “military Schengen” area to allow faster movement of troops and military equipment across EU borders.

Lawmakers said military personnel and vehicles should be able to cross internal EU borders within three days in peacetime and within 24 hours during crises, in order to enable rapid deployment.

“The Parliament stresses the need to establish a genuine military Schengen as quickly as possible,” said rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius, citing remaining bureaucratic and administrative obstacles.

The resolution also reflects a shift in EU defence priorities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Member states had cut proposed funding for military mobility to €1.7 billion in the 2021–2027 EU budget, down from an initial €6.5 billion. The European Commission has since proposed around €17 billion for military mobility in the 2028–2032 budget framework.

Parliament urged governments not to oppose the proposal, while noting that modernising 500 critical infrastructure points, including bridges and tunnels, could require at least €100 billion. Lawmakers also called for simpler procedures to fund dual-use infrastructure projects.

The European Council has identified four priority military mobility corridors across the EU, spanning northern, central, southern and eastern Europe. Parliament said closer coordination with NATO would be essential to achieving the objectives.

Legislative work on the European Commission’s military mobility package is expected to begin after the Christmas recess.