The devastating outcome of the Second World War awakened in people the desire to overcome nationalism and borders. The idea of a united Europe was born, to gradually create a common market of free movement of workers, goods, capital and services.

According to the farsighted 'Schuman Plan' (1950), a political European community was then to be created. As a first step the 'European Coal and Steel Community' (ECSC) was created in 1951 through the industrial amalgamation of six countries. Following this success, the Treaty of Rome in 1957 brought about an extended common European market. The first attempts at a political union date from this period.

The 'Werner Plan' already anticipated a monetary union in the early 1970s. In 1984 French President, François Mitterrand, and German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, took the first measures to facilitate traffic between their two countries. The Benelux countries joined this promising project.

On 14 June 1985, the 'Schengen Agreement' was signed on the excursion ship "Princess Marie-Astrid Europa", which would change the lives of travelling Europeans forever: Europe became a tangible reality for its citizens! Nowadays, the ship is part of the museum and houses the Schengen Treaty. Changing exhibitions take place on board the ship.

The original five participating countries subsequently developed into the so-called 'Schengen Area’, to which most EU member states and four associated countries have acceded. The 'Schengen visa’ in particular has made the name of the little village famous around the world. The 'Schengen Agreement’ has thus contributed significantly to the development of the European Union. In 1997 its provisions were incorporated into the Amsterdam Treaty.

The Schengen Museum was inaugurated in 2010 on the banks of the Moselle River. It is an interactive documentation centre with wide range of background information from the beginnings of the European idea to a borderless Europe. In the immediate vicinity is the official monument to the Schengen Agreement, three brass stars, each framed by two steel stelae. In front of the museum, visitors can see two parts of the Berlin Wall and the columns of nations with 29 stars. Each of the 29 stars represents a country in the Schengen area.

In recognition of its importance on the road to European integration, Schengen was awarded the European Heritage Label.

The Schengen Agreement has brought people together in a Europe without borders. May the common values of a united Europe, which for eight decades have brought us peace, freedom and respectful understanding between nations, continue to determine our daily actions.

The museum has recently been renovated and was reopened in June 2025. It now includes an interactive and modern exhibition on the Schengen area and houses the tourist information.