The European Parliament supports the creation of a "Military Schengen" for rapid troop mobility within the EU.

The European Parliament calls for the removal of internal barriers for the rapid movement of troops and military equipment across the territory of the Union, in an initiative known as "Military Schengen." The resolution reflects the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and marks a major shift in the way the EU adapts its infrastructure and internal rules to security requirements. The European Parliament supports the creation of a "Military Schengen" for the rapid mobility of troops in the EU. The European Parliament supports the removal of internal barriers for the rapid movement of troops and military equipment in the EU, in an initiative known as "Military Schengen." Brussels, December 17, 2025 – The European Parliament adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a so-called "Military Schengen," a framework that would allow the rapid and unrestricted movement of troops and military equipment across the territory of the European Union. The resolution was adopted with 493 votes in favor, 127 against, and 38 abstentions, against the backdrop of growing concerns regarding European security and the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine.

In short The European Parliament adopted a resolution regarding military mobility in the EU.

MEPs call for the removal of administrative obstacles and massive investment in infrastructure. The objective is the movement of troops within a maximum of 24 hours in crisis and three days in peacetime. The Parliament supports increasing the budget for military mobility to over 17 billion euros. The initiative specifically targets the security of the EU's eastern flank and cooperation with NATO.

MEPs draw attention to the fact that, currently, the movement of military equipment between member states can take over a month due to administrative barriers, different national procedures, and insufficiently adapted infrastructure. In a crisis scenario, such delays could have major consequences, especially for countries on the eastern flank, such as the Baltic states and Poland.

The resolution calls for substantial investments in infrastructure – roads, railways, bridges, and tunnels – capable of supporting the transport of heavy equipment, as well as the simplification of cross-border authorizations through digital solutions and a "one-stop-shop" system. The Parliament also recommends the creation of a task force for military mobility and the appointment of a European coordinator to oversee the implementation of the initiatives.

From a budgetary perspective, the Parliament welcomes the European Commission's proposal to allocate over 17 billion euros for military mobility in the next multiannual financial framework, warning member states not to repeat the drastic cuts made in the 2021–2027 budget. According to MEP estimates, modernizing approximately 500 critical infrastructure points would require investments of at least 100 billion euros.

The initiative is designed as a dual-use project, with both military and civilian benefits, as modernizing transport infrastructure would also contribute to economic mobility. At the same time, the Parliament emphasizes that military mobility is a key priority for EU–NATO cooperation, calling for joint exercises and regular stress tests to identify and eliminate existing bottlenecks.

MEPs have called for the EU to align with NATO standards, so that rapid reaction forces can cross the internal borders of the Union within a maximum of three days in peacetime and 24 hours in crisis situations. The next step is to initiate legislative work in the transport and defense committees of the Parliament, based on the military mobility package presented by the Commission in November.

The concept of military mobility was introduced at the European level in 2017, within the framework of EU–NATO cooperation, but its implementation has been slow and fragmented. The war in Ukraine has brought the issue back to the forefront, highlighting the current limitations of infrastructure and administrative coordination in the EU. The "Military Schengen" initiative reflects a broader trend of adapting the internal market and transport policies to the new security realities.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/parlamentul-european-sustine-crearea-unui-schengen-militar-pentru-mobilitate-rapida-a-trupelor-in-ue