Meaning of Bangemann wave | Babel Free

Definitions

A former method of simplified border control for citizens of the European Communities (and the European Union) at the external frontiers of the Schengen Area (i.e. the borders of the United Kingdom and Ireland), implemented in 1993, which consists of passengers presenting, or waving, their unopened passports or national identity cards to authorities.

historical

Examples

“Thanks to one of the European Union's more risible compromises, all we need do when crossing into most Continental countries is to effect the Bangemann Wave, which consists of placing one hand in a pocket, pulling out a passport and wiggling it momentarily before striding on towards the next airport exit. The Bangemann Wave was named after Martin Bangemann, […]”

“The idea, widely reported in the press as the ‘Bangemann wave’, entailed that EC nationals entering the UK would not be subject to thorough checks, but walk-through passport control holding up their passports or national identity cards and showing it to the British authorities.”

CEFR level