Luxembourg to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Signing of Schengen Agreement

Saturday 14 June 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement, laying the foundation for the free movement of people and goods in Europe.

To commemorate this key moment in European integration, various festivities are taking place in Schengen on 14 June, in the presence of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. Highlights include the reopening of the European Museum Schengen and the return to Luxembourg of the historic ship where five countries (Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) signed the agreement in 1985; the ship, renamed "Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa", has undergone extensive renovation work and will be open to the public throughout the summer.

At a press conference on Thursday 5 June 2025, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, the Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Mayor of Schengen, Michel Gloden, unveiled the anniversary programme.

Minister Bettel stressed the historic importance of the Schengen Agreement and the Schengen area which currently encompasses 29 countries - 25 EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - and allows over 400 million people to travel freely across borders. He noted its particular importance for cross-border workers in Luxembourg - and the need to preserve Schengen. He lamented that German border controls had complicated daily commuting for cross-border workers on the German side of the border but was pleased that the Luxembourg government remained in contact with the German and EU authorities on this subject. He said it was too easy for some to blame Schengen for problems in the EU; however, external borders and the Dublin Regulation also play an key role in migration policy. Minister Bettel stated: "We cannot accept that an acquis [agreement] that has brought us so much freedom is suddenly jeapordised through political opportunities".

Minister Delles reiterated the importance of Schengen for Luxembourg from an economic perspective, also commenting on the issue of cross-border workers being stuck in traffic. He also stressed the need - amid current uncertainty - for EU Member States to work together to strengthen the internal market and remove barriers for consumers and businesses. He said "Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa" is not just a ship, rather it represents freedom and helps put Schengen, Luxembourg and Europe on the map. The ship is a part of the history of the agreement and it is symbolic that she is now "coming home" to Schengen.

Mayor Gloden outlined the ship's journey "home" as well as the renovation works. In the 1990s, the ship was sold to Germany, sailing under the name "MS Regensburg". The municipality of Schengen, with the support of the state, bought her back in 2021. Renovation works began in June 2024. The ship will return to Luxembourg later this week, first in Mertert, before arriving in Schengen in time for the anniversary celebrations.

On Saturday 14 June 2025, the museum will officially open its doors around 10:15, kicking off an official ceremony with various speakers and international guests. The ship inauguration will follow, after which the public can go on the ship or check out the museum ("open day" throughout the weekend).

Fête de la Musique is also taking place in Schengen that weekend - a highlight is the concert by Johnny Logan and the Luxembourg Military Band on Saturday. Entry is free, so visitors can combine the festival with a trip aboard the ship and / or to the museum - to truly "experience Europe without borders".

Further details about the programme are available at https://www.schengen.lu/schengen-feiert-40-joer-oppe-grenzen/

Moreover, in the margins of the EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council being held in Luxembourg on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 June 2025, Schengen area Ministers of the Interior will attend an official dinner aboard the "Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa" ship. The dinner will take place during a boat trip from Grevenmacher to Schengen on the Thursday evening, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement.

Updated to include information about the dinner on Thursday 12 June 2025.