What

Organised by EMN Austria, this year’s conference will focus on the future of the Schengen Area and the key factors shaping its resilience and development. The discussions will address the balance between national responsibility and European cooperation, the effectiveness of external border protection and the role of cooperation with third countries in managing migration.

Three panel discussions will explore different dimensions of the future of Schengen. The first panel will examine Schengen governance within the European migration architecture, including EU governance structures, internal border controls and emergency mechanisms. The second will focus on integrated and technologically advanced external border protection, including the interoperability of EU information systems and the future role of Frontex. The third panel will address the external dimension of Schengen, including visa policy and cooperation with third countries in the context of migration management.

The conference will bring together experts and representatives from the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, Frontex, EU Member States, the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior and IOM, with opportunities for questions and discussion with the audience.

Where

The conference will take place at the Hilton Vienna Plaza in Vienna, Austria.

When

14 October 2026, 09:15–17:00 CEST

More information

For further details, including the agenda, please consult this page.
Registration is open until 2 October 2026 and available here.