In parallel to the removal of controls at the internal borders, some compensatory measures were implemented, including: the establishment of efficient controls at the external borders, the reinforcement of the cooperation between those Member States' administrative, customs, police and judicial authorities, a common visa policy, and the creation of the Schengen Information System (SIS).
ES Padomē prezidējošās Portugāles premjerministrs José SÓCRATES 21. decembrī iecerējis simboliski šķērsot nākamās prezidentvalsts Slovēnijas robežu, tā atzīmējot vēsturē vērienīgāko Šengenas zonas paplašināšanos.