PROTOCOL  
between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the 
Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the 
Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation 
on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of 
the Schengen  acquis  
THE EUROPEAN UNION  
and 
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY  
and 
THE SWISS CONFEDERATION  
and 
THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN,  
hereinafter referred to as ‘the Contracting Parties’,  
HAVING REGARD TO the Agreement signed on 26 October 2004 between the European Union, the European 
Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application 
and development of the Schengen  acquis  ( 1 ) (‘the Association Agreement’),  
RECALLING that Article 16 thereof provides for the possibility of the Principality of Liechtenstein acceding to the 
Association Agreement by way of a Protocol,  
CONSIDERING the geographical situation of the Principality of Liechtenstein,  
CONSIDERING the close ties between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation, expressed by an area 
without internal border controls between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation,  
CONSIDERING the wish of the Principality of Liechtenstein to maintain and establish an area without border control with 
all Schengen countries and therefore to be associated with the Schengen  acquis , 
WHEREAS the Agreement concluded on 18 May 1999 by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of 
Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway (  2 ) associated the latter two States with the implementation, application and 
development of the Schengen  acquis , 
WHEREAS it is desirable that the Principality of Liechtenstein be associated on an equal footing with Iceland, Norway and 
Switzerland in the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis , 
WHEREAS a protocol should be concluded between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confed ­
eration and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for Liechtenstein to enjoy rights and obligations similar to those 
agreed between the Council of the European Union, of the one part, and Iceland and Norway, as well as Switzerland of 
the other part,  
WHEREAS the provisions of Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the acts adopted on the 
basis of that Title do not apply to the Kingdom of Denmark pursuant to the Protocol on the position of Denmark 
annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and whereas the 
decisions designed to develop the Schengen  acquis  in application of that Title which Denmark has transposed into its 
domestic law are only liable to create international-law obligations between Denmark and the other Member States,EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/21  
( 1 ) OJ L 53, 27.2.2008, p. 52.  
( 2 ) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 36.
WHEREAS Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland participate in certain provisions of the 
Schengen  acquis , in accordance with the decisions taken pursuant to the Protocol integrating the Schengen  acquis  into the 
framework of the European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European 
Community (  1 ), 
WHEREAS it is necessary to ensure that the States with which the European Union has established an association for the 
purpose of implementing, applying and developing the Schengen  acquis  also apply that  acquis  in their relations with each 
other,  
WHEREAS the smooth operation of the Schengen  acquis  requires that this Protocol be applied simultaneously with the 
agreements between the various parties associated with or participating in the implementation and development of the 
Schengen  acquis  governing their mutual relations,  
HAVING REGARD TO the Protocol on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the agreement between the 
European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the State 
responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in one of the Member States or in Switzerland (  2 ), 
BEARING IN MIND the link between the Schengen  acquis  and the Community  acquis  concerning the establishment of 
criteria and mechanisms for determining the State responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in one of the 
Member States and concerning the setting-up of the ‘Eurodac’ system,  
WHEREAS that link requires that the Schengen  acquis  be applied simultaneously with the Community  acquis  concerning 
the establishment of criteria and mechanisms for determining the State responsible for examining a request for asylum 
lodged in one of the Member States and concerning the setting-up of the ‘Eurodac’ system,  
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:  
Article 1  
In accordance with Article 16 of the Agreement between the 
European Union, the European Community and the Swiss 
Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with 
the implementation, application and development of the 
Schengen  acquis  (‘the Association Agreement’), the Principality 
of Liechtenstein (hereinafter referred to as ‘Liechtenstein’) 
accedes to the Association Agreement under the terms and 
conditions set out in this Protocol.  
This accession creates reciprocal rights and obligations between 
the Contracting Parties in accordance with the rules and 
procedures set out herein.  
Article 2  
1. The provisions of the Schengen  acquis  listed in Annex A 
and Annex B to the Association Agreement as they apply to the 
Member States of the European Union shall be implemented 
and applied by Liechtenstein under the conditions envisaged 
in those Annexes.  
2. In addition, the provisions of the acts of the European 
Union and of the European Community listed in the Annex 
to this Protocol which have replaced or developed provisions 
of the Schengen  acquis  shall be implemented and applied by 
Liechtenstein.  
3. The acts and measures taken by the European Union and 
the European Community amending or developing the 
provisions of the Schengen  acquis , to which the procedures set out in the Association Agreement, in conjunction with this 
Protocol, have been applied, shall also, without prejudice to 
Article 5, be accepted, implemented and applied by Liech ­
tenstein.  
Article 3  
The rights and obligations set out in Article 3(1) to (4), Articles 
4 to 6, Articles 8 to 10, Article 11(2), (3) and (4), and 
Article 13 of the Association Agreement shall apply to Liech ­
tenstein.  
Article 4  
The office of the President of the Mixed Committee as estab ­
lished by Article 3 of the Association Agreement shall, at the 
level of experts, be held by the representative of the European 
Union. At the level of senior officials and Ministers it shall 
alternately, for a period of 6 months, be held by the represen ­
tative of the European Union and by the representative of the 
Government of Liechtenstein or Switzerland, respectively.  
Article 5  
1. The adoption of new acts or measures related to the 
matters referred to in Article 2 shall be reserved to the 
competent institutions of the European Union. Subject to 
paragraph 2 of this article, such acts or measures shall enter 
into force simultaneously for the European Union, the European 
Community and their respective Member States concerned and 
for Liechtenstein, unless those acts or measures explicitly state 
otherwise. In this context, due account shall be taken of the 
period of time indicated by Liechtenstein in the Mixed 
Committee as being necessary to enable it to fulfil its constitu ­
tional requirements.EN L 160/22 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011  
( 1 ) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20 and OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43, respectively.  
( 2 ) See page 39 of this Official Journal.
2. (a) The Council of the European Union (‘the Council’) 
shall notify Liechtenstein immediately of the 
adoption of the acts or measures referred to in 
paragraph 1 to which the procedures set out in this 
Protocol have been applied. Liechtenstein shall decide 
whether to accept their contents and to implement 
them in its internal legal order. That decision shall 
be notified to the Council and to the Commission of 
the European Communities (‘the Commission’) within 
thirty days of the adoption of the acts or measures 
concerned.  
(b) If the contents of such an act or measure can become 
binding on Liechtenstein only after the fulfilment of 
constitutional requirements, Liechtenstein shall inform 
the Council and the Commission of this at the time of 
its notification. Liechtenstein shall promptly inform 
the Council and the Commission in writing upon 
fulfilment of all constitutional requirements. Where a 
referendum is not required, notification shall, at the 
latest, take place thirty days after the referendum 
deadline expires. If a referendum is required, Liech ­
tenstein shall have eighteen months from the date of 
the Council’s notification within which to make its 
notification. From the date laid down for the entry 
into force of the act or measure for Liechtenstein 
and until it has given notification that the constitu ­
tional requirements have been met, Liechtenstein shall, 
where possible, implement the act or measure in 
question on a provisional basis.  
If Liechtenstein cannot implement the act or measure at issue 
on a provisional basis, and if this causes difficulties that disrupt 
the operation of Schengen cooperation, the situation shall be 
examined by the Mixed Committee. The European Union and 
the European Community may take proportionate, appropriate 
measures against Liechtenstein to ensure that Schengen coop ­
eration operates smoothly.  
3. Acceptance by Liechtenstein of the acts and measures 
referred to in paragraph 2 creates rights and obligations 
between Liechtenstein, on the one hand, and the European 
Union, the European Community and the Member States, in 
so far as they are bound by those acts and measures, and 
Switzerland on the other hand.  
4. Where:  
(a) Liechtenstein notifies its decision not to accept the contents 
of an act or measure referred to in paragraph 2 and to 
which the procedures set out in this Protocol have been 
applied; or  
(b) Liechtenstein does not carry out notification within the 
thirty-day time limit referred to in paragraphs 2(a) or 5(a); 
or 
(c) Liechtenstein does not carry out the notification at the latest 
thirty days after the referendum deadline has expired or, in the case of a referendum, within the eighteen months time 
limit set out in paragraph 2(b), or does not provide for 
provisional implementation as envisaged in the same 
paragraph from the date laid down for the entry into 
force of the act or measure concerned.  
This Protocol shall be considered terminated unless the Mixed 
Committee, after carrying out a careful examination of ways of 
continuing the Protocol, decides otherwise within ninety days. 
Termination of this Protocol shall take effect 3 months after the 
expiry of the ninety-day period.  
5. (a) If provisions of a new act or measure have the effect 
of no longer allowing Member States to subject 
compliance with requests for mutual assistance in 
criminal matters or the recognition of orders from 
other Member States to search premises and/or to 
seize items of evidence to the conditions set out in 
Article 51 of the Convention Implementing the 
Schengen Agreement (  1 ), Liechtenstein may notify the 
Council and the Commission within the period of 
thirty days referred to in paragraph 2, point (a) that 
it will not accept or implement those provisions in its 
internal legal order where they apply to search and 
seizure requests or orders made for the purposes of 
investigating or prosecuting offences in the field of 
direct taxation which, if committed in Liechtenstein, 
would not be punishable under Liechtenstein law with 
a custodial penalty. In that case this Protocol shall not 
be considered terminated, contrary to the provisions of 
paragraph 4.  
(b) The Mixed Committee shall convene within 2 months 
following a request by one of its members and, taking 
into account international developments, shall discuss 
the situation resulting from a notification pursuant to 
point (a).  
Once the Mixed Committee has unanimously reached an 
agreement on the full acceptance and implementation by Liech ­
tenstein of the relevant provisions of the new act or measure, 
paragraphs 2, point (b), 3 and 4 shall apply. The information 
referred to in the first sentence of paragraph 2, point (b) shall 
be provided within thirty days of the agreement reached in the 
Mixed Committee.  
Article 6  
In fulfilling its obligation with regard to the Schengen 
Information System and the Visa Information System, Liech ­
tenstein may use the technical infrastructure of Switzerland 
for its access to these systems.EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/23  
( 1 ) Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between 
the Governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal 
Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of 
checks at their common borders (OJ L 239, 22.9.2000, p. 19).
Article 7  
As regards the administrative costs associated with imple ­
menting this Protocol, Liechtenstein shall make an annual 
contribution to the general budget of the European Union of 
0,071 % of an amount of EUR 8 100 000, subject to annual 
adjustment to reflect inflation in the European Union.  
Article 8  
1. This Protocol shall not affect the Agreement on the 
European Economic Area or any other agreement concluded 
between the European Community and Liechtenstein.  
2. This Protocol shall not affect the agreements binding 
Liechtenstein, of the one part, and one or more Member 
States, of the other part, in so far as they are compatible 
with this Protocol. If such agreements are incompatible with 
this Protocol, the latter shall prevail.  
3. This Protocol shall not affect in any respect any future 
agreements concluded with Liechtenstein by the European 
Community, or between the European Community and its 
Member States, of the one part, and Liechtenstein, of the 
other part, or agreements concluded on the basis of Articles 
24 and 38 of the Treaty on European Union.  
4. This Protocol shall not affect agreements between Liech ­
tenstein and Switzerland insofar as they are compatible with 
this Protocol. If such agreements are incompatible with this 
Protocol, the latter shall prevail.  
Article 9  
1. This Protocol shall enter into force 1 month after the day 
on which the Secretary-General of the Council, in his capacity 
as its depositary, has established that all the formal requirements 
have been met as regards the expression of consent by, or on 
behalf of, the Parties to be bound by this Protocol.  
2. Articles 1, 4, and Article 5(2)(a) first sentence, of this 
Protocol and the rights and obligations set out in Articles 
3(1) to (4), and Articles 4 to 6 of the Association Agreement 
shall apply provisionally to Liechtenstein as of the date on 
which this Protocol is signed.  
3. With respect to acts or measures adopted after this 
Protocol has been signed but before it enters into force, the 
thirty-day period referred to in Article 5(2)(a), last sentence shall 
start to run from the day of entry into force of this Protocol.  
Article 10  
1. The provisions referred to in Article 2 shall be put into 
effect by Liechtenstein on a date to be fixed by the Council, 
acting by unanimity of its Members representing the 
governments of those Member States which apply all the 
provisions referred to in Article 2 after consulting the Mixed Committee and after having satisfied itself that the precon ­
ditions for implementation of the relevant provisions have 
been fulfilled by Liechtenstein.  
The Members of the Council representing the governments of 
Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 
Ireland respectively shall be involved in taking this decision 
insofar as it relates to the provisions of the Schengen  acquis  
and the acts based on it or related to it in which those 
Member States participate.  
The Members of the Council representing the governments of 
the Member States to which, in accordance with their Treaty of 
Accession, only some of the provisions referred to in Article 2 
apply shall be involved in taking this decision insofar as it 
relates to the provisions of the Schengen  acquis  that are 
already applicable to their respective Member States.  
2. Implementation of the provisions referred to in paragraph 
1 shall create rights and obligations between Switzerland and 
Liechtenstein, of the one part and between Liechtenstein, and, 
the European Union, the European Community and the 
Member States, as appropriate, insofar as they are bound by 
these provisions, of the other part.  
3. This Protocol shall be applied only if the Agreements to 
be concluded by Liechtenstein and referred to in Article 13 of 
the Association Agreement are implemented.  
4. Moreover, this Protocol shall be applied only if the 
Protocol between the European Community, the Swiss Confed ­
eration and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of 
the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the 
European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning 
the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the State 
responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a 
Member State or in Switzerland is also implemented.  
Article 11  
1. This Protocol may be denounced by Liechtenstein or by 
Switzerland or by decision of the Council acting by unanimity 
of its Members. The depositary shall be notified of denunciation, 
which shall take effect 6 months after notification.  
2. In case of denunciation by Switzerland of this Protocol or 
of the Association Agreement, or in case of the termination of 
the Association Agreement with respect to Switzerland, the 
Association Agreement and this Protocol shall remain in force 
with respect to the relations between the European Union andEN L 160/24 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
the European Community on the one part and Liechtenstein on 
the other part. In such a case, the Council shall decide, after 
consulting Liechtenstein, on the necessary measures. However, 
those measures shall be binding upon Liechtenstein only if 
Liechtenstein accepts them.  
3. This Protocol shall be considered to have been terminated 
if Liechtenstein terminates one of the agreements referred to in 
Article 13 of the Association Agreement that have been 
concluded by Liechtenstein or terminates the Protocol referred 
to in Article 10(4).  Article 12  
This Protocol shall be drawn up in triplicate in the Bulgarian, 
Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, 
German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, 
Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, 
Spanish and Swedish languages, each text being equally 
authentic.  
In witness whereof, the undersigned plenipotentiaries have 
hereunto set their hands.EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/25
Съставено  в Брюксел  на двадесет  и осми  февруари  две хиляди  и осма  година . 
Hecho en Bruselas, el veintiocho de febrero de dos mil ocho.  
V Bruselu dne dvacátého osmého února dva tisíce osm.  
Udfærdiget i Bruxelles den otteogtyvende februar to tusind og otte.  
Geschehen zu Brüssel am achtundzwanzigsten Februar zweitausendacht.  
Kahe tuhande kaheksanda aasta veebruarikuu kahekümne kaheksandal päeval Brüsselis.  
Έγινε  στις Βρυξέλλες , στις είκοσι  οκτώ  Φεβρουαρίου  δύο χιλιάδες  οκτώ . 
Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of February in the year two thousand and eight.  
Fait à Bruxelles, le vingt-huit février deux mille huit.  
Fatto a Bruxelles, addì ventotto febbraio duemilaotto.  
Brisel ē, divt ūkstoš astot ā gada divdesmit astotaj ā febru ārī. 
Priimta du t ūkstan čiai aštunt ų met ų vasario dvidešimt aštunt ą dien ą Briuselyje.  
Kelt Brüsszelben, a kétezer-nyolcadik év február huszonnyolcadik napján.  
Mag ħmul fi Brussell, fit-tmienja u g ħoxrin jum ta’ Frar tas-sena elfejn u tmienja.  
Gedaan te Brussel, de achtentwintigste februari tweeduizend acht.  
Sporz ądzono w Brukseli dnia dwudziestego ósmego lutego roku dwa tysi ące ósmego.  
Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte e oito de Fevereiro de dois mil e oito.  
Încheiat la Bruxelles, la dou ăzeci și opt februarie în anul dou ă mii opt.  
V Bruseli d ňa dvadsiateho ôsmeho februára dvetisícosem.  
V Bruslju, dne osemindvajsetega februarja leta dva tiso č osem.  
Tehty Brysselissä kahdentenakymmenentenäkahdeksantena päivänä helmikuuta vuonna 
kaksituhattakahdeksan.  
Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugoåttonde februari tjugohundraåtta.EN L 160/26 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
За Европейския  съюз  
Por la Unión Europea 
Za Evropskou unii 
For Den Europæiske Union 
Für die Europäische Union 
Euroopa Liidu nimel 
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή  Ένωση  
For the European Union 
Pour l'Union européenne 
Per l'Unione europea 
Eiropas Savien ības v ārd ā 
Europos Sajungos vardu 
Az Európai Unió részér ől 
Għall-Unjoni Ewropea 
Voor de Europese Unie 
W imieniu Unii Europejskiej 
Pela União Europeia 
Pentru Uniunea European ă 
Za Európsku úniu 
Za Evropsko unijo 
Euroopan unionin puolesta 
På Europeiska unionens vägnar
  За Европейската  общност  
Por la Comunidad Europea 
Za Evropské spole čenství 
For Det Europæiske Fællesskab 
Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft 
Euroopa Ühenduse nimel 
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή  Κοινότητα  
For the European Community 
Pour la Communauté européenne 
Per la Comunità europea 
Eiropas Kopienas v ārd ā 
Europos bendrijos vardu 
Az Európai Közösség részér ől 
Għall-Komunità Ewropea 
Voor de Europese Gemeenschap 
W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej 
Pela Comunidade Europeia 
Pentru Comunitatea European ă 
Za Európske spolo čenstvo 
Za Evropsko skupnost 
Euroopan yhteisön puolesta 
På Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar
  
За Конфедерация  Швейцария  
Por la Confederación Suiza 
Za Švýcarskou konfederaci 
For Det Schweiziske Forbund 
Für die Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft 
Šveitsi Konföderatsiooni nimel 
Για την Ελβετική  Συνομοσπονδία  
For the Swiss Confederation 
Pour la Confédération Suisse 
Per la Confederazione svizzera 
Šveices Konfeder ācijas v ārd ā 
Šveicarijos Konfederacijos vardu 
A Svájci Államszövetség részér ől 
Għall-Konfederazzjoni Żvizzera 
Voor de Zwitserse Bondsstaat 
W imieniu Konfederacji Szwajcarskiej 
Pela Confederação Suíça 
Pentru Confedera ția Elve țian ă 
Za Švaj čiarskou konfederáciu 
Za Švicarsko konfederacijo 
Sveitsin valaliiton puolesta 
För Schweiziska edsförbundet
  За Княжество  Лихтенщайн  
Por el Principado de Liechtenstein 
Za Lichtenštejnské knížectví 
For Fyrstendømmet Liechtenstein 
Für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein 
Liechtensteini Vürstiriigi nimel 
Για το Πριγκιπάτο  του Λιχτενστάιν  
For the Principality of Liechtenstein 
Pour la Principauté de Liechtenstein 
Per il Principato del Liechtenstein 
Lihtenšteinas Firstistes v ārd ā 
Lichtenšteino Kunigaikštyst ės vardu 
A Liechtensteini Hercegség részér ől 
Għall-Prin ċipat ta’ Liechtenstein 
Voor het Vorstendom Liechtenstein 
W imieniu Ksi ęstwa Liechtensteinu 
Pelo Principado do Liechtenstein 
Pentru Principatul Liechtenstein 
Za Lichtenštajnské kniežatstvo 
Za Kneževino Lihtenštajn 
Liechtensleinin ruhtinaskunnan puolesta 
För Furstendömet Liechtenstein
EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/27
ANNEX  
Annex to the protocol on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the 
European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s 
association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis  
Provisions referred to in Article 2(2), to be applied by Liechtenstein from the date set by the Council in accordance with 
Article 10:  
— Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004/EC of 26 October 2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management 
of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (OJ L 349, 
25.11.2004, p. 1),  
— Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004/EC of 13 December 2004 on standards for security features and biometrics in 
passports and travel documents issued by Member States (OJ L 385, 29.12.2004, p. 1); Commission Decision of 
28.2.2005 laying down the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports 
and travel documents issued by Member States (C(2005) 409 final) and Commission Decision of 28 June 2006 laying 
down the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel 
documents issued by Member States (C(2006) 2909 final),  
— Council Decision No 2005/211/JHA of 24 February 2005 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the 
Schengen Information System, including in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 68, 15.3.2005, p. 44),  
— Council Decision 2005/719/JHA of 12 October 2005 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 
2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including 
in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 271, 15.10.2005, p. 54),  
— Council Decision 2005/727/JHA of 12 October 2005 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 
2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including 
the fight against terrorism (OJ L 273, 19.10.2005, p. 25),  
— Council Decision 2006/228/JHA of 9 March 2006 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 
2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including 
the fight against terrorism (OJ L 81, 18.3.2006, p. 45),  
— Council Decision 2006/229/JHA of 9 March 2006 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 
2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including 
in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 81, 18.3.2006, p. 46),  
— Council Decision 2006/631/JHA of 24 July 2006 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 
2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including 
in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 256, 20.9.2006, p. 18),  
— Council Decision 2005/267/EC of 16 March 2005 establishing a secure web-based Information and Coordination 
Network for Member States’ Migration Management Services (OJ L 83, 1.4.2005, p. 48),  
— Commission Decision of 15 December 2005 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Decision 
2005/267/EC establishing a secure web-based Information and Coordination Network for Member States’ Migration 
Management Services (C(2005) 5159 final),  
— Council Regulation (EC) No 851/2005 of 2 June 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third 
countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose 
nationals are exempt from that requirement as regards the reciprocity mechanism (OJ L 141, 4.6.2005, p. 3),  
— Council Decision 2005/451/JHA of 13 June 2005 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Regulation 
(EC) No 871/2004 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, 
including in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 158, 21.6.2005, p. 26),  
— Regulation (EC) No 1160/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2005 amending the 
Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 on the gradual abolition of checks at 
common borders, as regards access to the Schengen Information System by the services in the Member States 
responsible for issuing registration certificates for vehicles (OJ L 191, 22.7.2005, p. 18),  
— Recommendation 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 to facilitate the 
issue by the Member States of uniform short-stay visas for researchers from third countries travelling within the 
Community for the purpose of carrying out scientific research (OJ L 289, 3.11.2005, p. 23),  
— Commission Decision of 29 September 2005 (2005/687/EC) on the format for the report on the activities of 
immigration liaison officers networks and on the situation in the host country in matters relating to illegal immi ­
gration (OJ L 264, 8.10.2005, p. 8),EN L 160/28 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
— Council Decision 2005/728/JHA of 12 October 2005 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Regu ­
lation (EC) No 871/2004 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, 
including in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 273, 19.10.2005, p. 26),  
— Regulation (EC) No 2046/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2005 relating to 
measures envisaged to facilitate the procedures for applying for and issuing visas for members of the Olympic family 
taking part in the 2006 Olympic and/or Paralympic Winter Games in Turin (OJ L 334, 20.12.2005, p. 1),  
— Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a 
Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) 
(OJ L 105, 13.4.2006, p. 1),  
— Council Decision (2006/440/EC) of 1 June 2006 amending Annex 12 to the Common Consular Instructions and 
Annex 14a to the Common Manual on the fees to be charged corresponding to the administrative costs of processing 
visa applications (OJ L 175, 29.6.2006, p. 77),  
— Council Decision (2006/628/EC) of 24 July 2006 fixing the date of application of Article 1(4) and (5) of Regulation 
(EC) No 871/2004 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, 
including in the fight against terrorism (OJ L 256, 20.9.2006, p. 15),  
— Commission Decision (2006/648/EC) of 22 September 2006 laying down the technical specifications on the 
standards for biometric features related to the development of the Visa Information System, (OJ L 267, 27.9.2006, 
p. 41),  
— Corrigendum to Council Decision 2004/512/EC of 8 June 2004 establishing the Visa Information System (VIS) 
(OJ L 271, 30.9.2006, p. 85),  
— Commission Decision (2006/757/EC) of 22 September 2006 on amending the Sirene Manual (OJ L 317, 16.11.2006, 
p. 1),  
— Commission Decision (2006/758/EC) of 22 September 2006 on amending the Sirene Manual (OJ L 317, 16.11.2006, 
p. 41),  
— Council Decision (2006/684/EC) of 5 October 2006 amending Annex 2, Schedule A, to the Common Consular 
Instructions on the visa requirements for holders of Indonesian diplomatic and service passports (OJ L 280, 
12.10.2006, p. 29),  
— Commission Decision (2006/752/EC) of 3 November 2006 establishing the sites for the Visa Information System 
during the development phase (OJ L 305, 4.11.2006, p. 13),  
— Commission Recommendation of 6 November 2006 establishing a common ‘Practical Handbook for Border Guards 
(Schengen Handbook)’ to be used by Member States’ competent authorities when carrying out the border control of 
persons (C(2006) 5186 final),  
— Council Framework Decision 2006/960/JHA of 18 December 2006 on simplifying the exchange of information and 
intelligence between law enforcement authorities of the Member States of the European Union, (OJ L 386, 
29.12.2006, p. 89 and Corrigendum in OJ L 75, 15.3.2007, p. 26),  
— Regulation (EC) No 1986/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 regarding 
access to the Second Generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) by the services in the Member States 
responsible for issuing vehicle registration certificates (OJ L 381, 28.12.2006, p. 1),  
— Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on the 
establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 381, 
28.12.2006, p. 4),  
— Regulation (EC) No 1931/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 laying down 
rules on local border traffic at the external land borders of the Member States and amending the provisions of the 
Schengen Convention (OJ L 405, 30.12.2006, p. 1. Corrected version in OJ L 29, 3.2.2007, p. 3),  
— Council Regulation (EC) No 1932/2006 of 21 December 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the 
third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose 
nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 405, 30.12.2006, p. 23. Corrected version in OJ L 29, 3.2.2007, 
p. 10),  
— Council Regulation (EC) No 1988/2006 of 21 December 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 2424/2001 on the 
development of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 411, 30.12.2006, p. 1. Corrected 
version in OJ L 27, 2.2.2007, p. 3),  
— Council Decision 2006/1007/JHA of 21 December 2006 amending Decision 2001/886/JHA on the development of 
the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 411, 30.12.2006, p. 78. Corrected version in 
OJ L 27, 2.2.2007, p. 43),  
— Commission Decision (2007/170/EC) of 16 March 2007 laying down the network requirements for the Schengen 
Information System II (1st pillar) (OJ L 79, 20.3.2007, p. 20),EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/29
— Commission Decision (2007/171/EC) of 16 March 2007 laying down the network requirements for the Schengen 
Information System II (3rd pillar) (OJ L 79, 20.3.2007, p. 29),  
— Decision No 574/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May 2007 establishing the External 
Borders Fund for the period 2007 to 2013 as part of the General programme ‘Solidarity and Management of 
Migration Flows’ (OJ L 144, 6.6.2007, p. 22),  
— Council Decision 2007/533/JHA of 12 June 2007 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation 
Schengen Information System (SIS II) (OJ L 205, 7.8.2007, p. 63),  
— Council Decision 2007/472/EC of 25 June 2007 amending the Decision of the Executive Committee set up by the 
1990 Schengen Convention, amending the Financial Regulation on the costs of installing and operating the technical 
support function for the Schengen Information System (C.SIS) (OJ L 179, 7.7.2007, p. 50),  
— Regulation (EC) No 863/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 establishing a 
mechanism for the creation of Rapid Border Intervention Teams and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 
2007/2004 as regards that mechanism and regulating the tasks and powers of guest officers (OJ L 199, 31.7.2007, 
p. 30),  
— Council Decision 2007/519/EC of 16 July 2007 amending Part 2 of the Schengen consultation network (technical 
specifications) (OJ L 192, 24.7.2007, p. 26),  
— Commission Decision (2007/599/EC) of 27 August 2007 implementing Decision No 574/2007/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council as regards the adoption of strategic guidelines for 2007 to 2013 (OJ L 233, 5.9.2007, 
p. 3),  
— Council Decision (2007/866/EC) of 6 December 2007 amending Part 1 of the Schengen consultation network 
(technical specifications) (OJ L 340, 22.12.2007, p. 92).EN L 160/30 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
FINAL ACT  
The plenipotentiaries  
of the EUROPEAN UNION  
and 
of the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY  
and 
of the SWISS CONFEDERATION  
and 
of the PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN,  
hereinafter referred to as ‘the Contracting Parties’,  
meeting in Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of February in the year 2008 for the signature of the Protocol between the 
European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the 
accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European 
Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application 
and development of the Schengen  acquis , have adopted the Protocol.  
The plenipotentiaries of the Contracting Parties have taken note of the following Declarations listed below and annexed to 
this Final Act:  
— Joint Declaration of the Contracting Parties on the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation 
at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union,  
— Joint Declaration of the Contracting Parties on Article 23(7) of the Convention of 29 May 2000 on mutual assistance 
in criminal matters between Member States of the European Union (  1 ), 
— Declaration by the European Community and Liechtenstein on external relations,  
— Declaration by Liechtenstein on mutual assistance in criminal matters,  
— Declaration by Liechtenstein on Article 5(2)(b),  
— Declaration by Liechtenstein on the application of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters 
and the European Convention on Extradition,  
— Declaration by the European Community on the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2013,  
— Declaration by the European Commission on the transmission of proposals,  
— Common Declarations on Joint Meetings.EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/31  
( 1 ) OJ C 197, 12.7.2000, p. 1.
За Европейския  съюз  
Por la Unión Europea 
Za Evropskou unii 
For Den Europæiske Union 
Für die Europäische Union 
Euroopa Liidu nimel 
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή  Ένωση  
For the European Union 
Pour l'Union européenne 
Per l'Unione europea 
Eiropas Savien ības v ārd ā 
Europos S ąjungos vardu 
Az Európai Unió részér ől 
Għall-Unjoni Ewropea 
Voor de Europese Unie 
W imieniu Unii Europejskiej 
Pela União Europeia 
Pentru Uniunea European ă 
Za Európsku úniu 
Za Evropsko unijo 
Euroopan unionin puolesta 
På Europeiska unionens vägnar
  За Европейската  общност  
Por la Comunidad Europea 
Za Evropské spole čenství 
For Det Europæiske Fællesskab 
Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft 
Euroopa Ühenduse nimel 
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή  Κοινότητα  
For the European Community 
Pour la Communauté européenne 
Per la Comunità europea 
Eiropas Kopienas v ārd ā 
Europos bendrijos vardu 
az Európai Közösség részér ől 
Għall-Komunità Ewropea 
Voor de Europese Gemeenschap 
W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej 
Pela Comunidade Europeia 
Pentru Comunitatea European ă 
Za Európske spolo čenstvo 
Za Evropsko skupnost 
Euroopan yhteisön puolesta 
På Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar
  
За Конфедерация  Швейцария  
Por la Confederación Suiza 
Za Švýcarskou konfederaci 
For Det Schweiziske Forbund 
Für die Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft 
Šveitsi Konföderatsiooni nimel 
Για την Ελβετική  Συνομοσπονδία  
For the Swiss Confederation 
Pour la Confédération suisse 
Per la Confederazione svizzera 
Šveices Konfeder ācijas v ārd ā 
Šveicarijos Konfederacijos vardu 
A Svájci Államszövetség részér ől 
Għall-Konfederazzjoni Żvizzera 
Voor de Zwitserse Bondsstaat 
W imieniu Konfederacji Szwajcarskiej 
Pela Confederação Suíça 
Pentru Confedera ția Elve țian ă 
Za Švaj čiarsku konfederáciu 
Za Švicarsko konfederacijo 
Sveitsin valaliiton puolesta 
För Schweiziska edsförbundet
  За Княжество  Лихтенщайн  
Por el Principado de Liechtenstein 
Za Lichtenštejnské knížectví 
For Fyrstendømmet Liechtenstein 
Für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein 
Liechtensteini Vürstiriigi nimel 
Για το Πριγκιπάτο  του Λιχτενστάιν  
For the Principality of Liechtenstein 
Pour la Principauté de Liechtenstein 
Per il Principato del Liechtenstein 
Lihtenšteinas Firstistes v ārd ā 
Lichtenšteino Kunigaikštyst ės vardu 
A Liechtensteini Hercegség részér ől 
Għall-Prin ċipat ta' Liechtenstein 
Voor het Vorstendom Liechtenstein 
W imieniu Ksi ęstwa Liechtensteinu 
Pelo Principado do Liechtenstein 
Pentru Principatul Liechtenstein 
Za Lichtenštajnské kniežatstvo 
Za Kneževino Lihtenštajn 
Liechtensteinin ruhtinaskunnan puolesta 
För Furstendömet Liechtenstein
EN L 160/32 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
JOINT DECLARATIONS OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES  
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES ON THE EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF 
OPERATIONAL COOPERATION AT THE EXTERNAL BORDERS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The Contracting Parties take note that further arrangements shall be concluded for the association of 
Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation 
at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union following the example of the 
arrangements agreed with Norway and Iceland.  
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES ON ARTICLE 23(7) OF THE CONVENTION OF 29 MAY 
2000 ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The Contracting Parties agree that Liechtenstein may, subject to the provisions of Article 23(1)(c) of the 
Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Member States of the European Union, in 
the circumstances of a particular case, require, unless the Member State concerned has obtained the consent 
of the data subject, that personal data not be used for the purposes referred to in Article 23(1)(a) and (b) 
without the prior consent of Liechtenstein in proceedings in which Liechtenstein could have refused or 
restricted the transmission or use of personal data under the Convention or the instruments referred to in 
Article 1 thereof.  
If, in a particular case, Liechtenstein refuses to give its consent to a request from a Member State pursuant 
to the above provisions, it must give reasons for its decision in writing.EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/33
OTHER DECLARATIONS  
DECLARATION BY EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND LIECHTENSTEIN ON EXTERNAL RELATIONS  
The European Community and Liechtenstein agree that the European Community undertakes to encourage 
third countries or international organisations with which it concludes agreements in areas linked to 
Schengen cooperation, including the visa policy, to conclude similar agreements with the Principality of 
Liechtenstein, without prejudice to the latter’s competence to conclude such agreements.  
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS  
Liechtenstein declares that tax offences being investigated by the Liechtenstein authorities may not give rise 
to an appeal before a court competent, inter alia, to hear criminal matters.  
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON ARTICLE 5(2)(B)  
(Time limit for accepting new developments in the Schengen  acquis ) 
The maximum time limit of eighteen months laid down in Article 5(2)(b) covers both the approval and the 
implementation of the act or measure. It includes the following stages:  
— the preparatory stage,  
— the parliamentary procedure,  
— the referendum deadline of thirty days,  
— where applicable the referendum (organisation and voting),  
— the sanctioning of the ruling prince.  
The Government of Liechtenstein shall inform the Council and the Commission without delay of the 
completion of each of the stages.  
The Government of Liechtenstein undertakes to use every means at its disposal to ensure that the 
abovementioned stages are completed as swiftly as possible.  
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON THE APPLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON MUTUAL 
ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS AND THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON EXTRADITION  
Liechtenstein undertakes to refrain from invoking its reservations and declarations made when ratifying the 
European Convention on Extradition of 13 December 1957 and the European Convention on Mutual 
Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959 in so far as they are incompatible with this Agreement.EN L 160/34 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011
DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY ON THE EXTERNAL BORDERS FUND FOR THE PERIOD 2007-13  
The European Community is currently establishing an External Borders Fund for the period 2007-13, for 
which further arrangements shall be concluded with the third countries associated with the Schengen  acquis . 
DECLARATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE TRANSMISSION OF PROPOSALS  
When forwarding proposals relating to this Agreement to the Council of the European Union and to the 
European Parliament, the Commission shall forward copies of such proposals to Liechtenstein.  
Participation in Committees that assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers:  
The Council authorised the Commission on 1 June 2006 to open negotiations with the Republic of Iceland, 
the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein with a view to 
concluding an agreement on the latters’ association with the work of the committees which assist the 
European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and 
development of the Schengen  acquis . 
Until conclusion of such an agreement, the agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the 
Council of the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the committees that assist the European 
Commission in the exercise of its executive powers applies to Liechtenstein taking into account that as far as 
Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection 
of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data (  1 ) is 
concerned, the participation of Liechtenstein is laid down by Article 100 of the Agreement on the European 
Economic Area.  
( 1 ) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).  
COMMON DECLARATION ON JOINT MEETINGS  
The delegations representing the Governments of the Member States of the European Union,  
The delegation of the European Commission,  
The delegations representing the Governments of the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway,  
The delegation representing the Government of the Swiss Confederation,  
The delegation representing the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein,  
Note that Liechtenstein accedes to the Mixed Committee established by the Agreement on the association of 
Switzerland with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis  by way of a 
protocol to this Agreement.  
Have decided to organise the meetings of the Mixed Committees, established by the Agreement on the 
association of Iceland and Norway with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  
acquis , on the one hand, and the Agreement on the association of Switzerland with the implementation, 
application and development of the Schengen  acquis  as complemented by the Protocol on the association of 
Liechtenstein, on the other hand, jointly, no matter the level of the meeting.EN 18.6.2011 Official Journal of the European Union L 160/35
Note that holding these meetings jointly calls for pragmatic arrangements regarding the office of presidency 
of such meetings when that presidency is to be held by the associated States according to the Agreement 
between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter’s 
association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis  as complemented 
by the Protocol on the association of Liechtenstein or the Agreement concluded by the Council of the 
European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latter’s association 
with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis . 
Note the wish of the associated States to cede, as necessary, the exercise of their presidencies and rotate it 
among them in alphabetical order of name as of the entry into force of the Agreement between the 
European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter’s association 
with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen  acquis  and as of the entry into force 
of the Protocol on the association of Liechtenstein.EN L 160/36 Official Journal of the European Union 18.6.2011