EU Court Of Justice (ECJ) Of Justice Rules Against Passport Checks For Bus Passengers Coming To Germany

The EU Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday against German requirements stating that cross-border services must check the passports and residence permits of all passengers traveling on coach buses before they enter or leave Germany.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th December, 2018) The EU Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Thursday against German requirements stating that cross-border services must check the passports and residence permits of all passengers traveling on coach buses before they enter or leave Germany.

"In today's judgment, the Court finds that the Schengen Borders Code (in the version applicable in 2014) precludes the obligation to carry out checks at issue imposed on coach travel operators traveling to Germany ... Since the checks at issue are carried out when the travellers board the coach at the start of the cross-border journey, they constitute checks within the territory of a Member State, which are prohibited where they have an effect equivalent to border checks.

According to the Court, the checks at issue have such an effect and are therefore prohibited," the ECJ said in a statement.

The ECJ pointed out that Germany must not impose restrictions on the travel agencies.

"Since the obligation to carry out checks as such is contrary to the Schengen Borders Code, that code also precludes sanctions for infringement of that obligation through the issuing of orders prohibiting transport, together with a threat to impose a recurring fine," the ECJ added.

The issue of border checks within the Schengen Area became topical after the start of the European migration crisis in 2015.