Switzerland officially joined the Schengen zone on December 12, 2005. The Schengen zone is a free travel zone composed of European Union member states and some other European countries, where people can freely enter and exit without border checks. Joining the Schengen zone means that Switzerland agrees to comply with the provisions of the Schengen Agreement, including strengthening border security controls and sharing intelligence with other member states. After joining the Schengen zone, Switzerland became the 22nd member state within the Schengen zone.
Switzerland officially joins Schengen and abolishes its neutrality policy