Article 4 Evaluations

Evaluations may cover all aspects of the Schengen acquis, including the effective and efficient application by the Member States of accompanying measures in the areas of external borders, visa policy, the Schengen Information System, data protection, police cooperation, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, as well as the absence of border control at internal borders. All the evaluations should take into account the functioning of the authorities that apply the relevant parts of the Schengen acquis, as set out in this paragraph.

Evaluations may consist of questionnaires and of on-site visits which may be announced or unannounced. Announced on-site visits shall be preceded by a questionnaire. The on-site visits and questionnaires may, where appropriate, be used either independently or in combination in evaluating specific Member States and/or specific areas.

Both questionnaires and on-site visits may be supplemented by presentations by the evaluated Member State on the area covered by the evaluation.