91999E1963

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1963/99

by Gerhard Hager (NI) to the Council

(9 November 1999)

Subject: Impact of the Schengen visa on competition

In recent years, it has become increasingly common among Austrian haulage companies to employ citizens from central and eastern Europe holding a six-month Schengen visa but no work permit as drivers for journeys within Europe for financial reasons. As a result of this common practice, Union citizens have found it increasingly difficult to find employment in this sector.

In view of this, can the Council answer the following questions:

1. Has the above-mentioned problem been discussed within the EU Council of Ministers?

2. Approximately how many people from central and eastern European countries are granted six-month Schengen visas both in Austria in particular and in the EU as a whole?

3. What measures does the Council consider to be appropriate to curtail this practice which is detrimental both to the labour market and to competition in the Union?

4. Has the Council investigated this matter?

5. Does the Council consider that this practice is compatible with EU competition law?

6. If not, what measures does the Council intend to take to curtail this practice?

7. If so, how does the Council justify its position?

Reply

(9 December 1999)

The Council is not aware of the practices mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Council would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that, for the purposes of the Schengen Convention, a visa for a stay of more than three months is a national visa issued by each Contracting Party in accordance with its own legislation.