Council Directive 2001/51/EC of 28 June 2001 supplementing the provisions of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985
Data as of 2026-07-04 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
The aim of this Directive is to supplement the provisions of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985, signed at Schengen on 19 June 1990(5) (hereinafter referred to as "the Schengen Convention") and to define certain conditions with respect to their implementation.
Member States shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the obligation of carriers to return third country nationals provided for in the provisions of Article 26(1)(a) of the Schengen Convention shall also apply when entry is refused to a third-country national in transit if: (a) the carrier which was to take him to his country of destination refuses to take him on board; (b) or the authorities of the State of destination have refused him entry and have sent him back to the Member State through which he transited.
Member States shall take the necessary measures to oblige carriers which are unable to effect the return of a third-country national whose entry is refused to find means of onward transportation immediately and to bear the cost thereof, or, if immediate onward transportation is not possible, to assume responsibility for the costs of the stay and return of the third-country national in question.
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the penalties applicable to carriers under the provisions of Article 26(2) and (3) of the Schengen Convention are dissuasive, effective and proportionate and that: (a) either the maximum amount of the applicable financial penalties is not less than EUR 5000 or equivalent national currency at the rate of exchange published in the Official Journal on 10 August 2001, for each person carried, or (b) the minimum amount of these penalties is not less than EUR 3000 or equivalent national currency at the rate of exchange published in the Official Journal on 10 August 2001, for each person carried, or (c) the maximum amount of the penalty imposed as a lump sum for each infringement is not less that EUR 500000 or equivalent national currency at the rate of exchange published in the Official Journal on 10 August 2001, irrespective of the number of persons carried. 2. Paragraph 1 is without prejudice to Member States' obligations in cases where a third country national seeks international protection.
This Directive shall not prevent Member States from adopting or retaining, for carriers which do not comply with the obligations arising from the provisions of Article 26(2) and (3) of the Schengen Convention and of Article 2 of this Directive, other measures involving penalties of another kind, such as immobilisation, seizure and confiscation of the means of transport, or temporary suspension or withdrawal of the operating licence.
Member States shall ensure that their laws, regulations and administrative provisions stipulate that carriers against which proceedings are brought with a view to imposing penalties have effective rights of defence and appeal.
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to comply with this Directive not later than 11 February 2003. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States. 3. Member States shall communicate the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive to the Commission.
This Directive shall enter into force 30 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community. Done at Luxembourg, 28 June 2001. For the Council The President B. Rosengren (1) OJ C 269, 20.9.2000, p. 8. (2) Opinion delivered on 13 March 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 1. (4) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 3. (5) OJ L 239, 22.9.2000, p. 1.
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