A date has now been set for the Schengen expansion. This has been possible because the current data base, The Schengen Information System, called SIS I is expanded. Previously, it was such that SIS II must be in place before more countries could be part of the Schengen cooperation.

The expansion of the Schengen cooperation implies that the border for the Schengen area expands from the 31st December 2007 incorporating all of the new EU countries  in the Schengen, except Cyprus. Also the border control by land and sea between the countires that are in the Schengen ceases to exist. Airline passengers will still go through border controls until 30th March 2008.

The Schengen cooperation will consist of 24 countries after the expansion. The Schengen Information System is an an electronic register of inter alia, wanted persons who have commited crimes, persons from non-Schengen countries that may be denied entry into the Schengen area, missings persons and stolen objects.