Open borders

last updated January 8, 2015

Bern, Switzerland

Swiss voters this week narrowly approved joining the E.U.’s passport-free zone, bringing their country a step closer to integration with the rest of Europe. Switzerland has guarded its neutrality for centuries. It doesn’t belong to the European Union, and only joined the United Nations three years ago. But the current government is trying to strengthen ties with its neighbors, in part to combat the common threat of terrorism. The passport-free zone, known as the Schengen space after the city where the treaty creating it was signed, comprises 13 E.U. countries plus Norway, Iceland, and now Switzerland. Citizens of other countries—including the U.K., Ireland, and the 10 newest E.U. members—must still show their passports when crossing borders.