A team responsible for on-site visits (the ‘on-site team’) shall consist of experts designated by Member States and of Commission representatives.

The Commission shall invite Member States to designate experts who are available for participation in the respective on-site visits, indicating their area of expertise.

In the case of announced on-site visits, the Commission shall, no later than three months before the on-site visit is scheduled to commence, invite Member States to designate experts. Member States shall designate experts within two weeks of receiving that invitation.

In the case of unannounced on-site visits, the Commission shall, no later than two weeks before the on-site visit is scheduled to commence, invite Member States to designate experts. Member States shall designate experts within 72 hours of receiving that invitation.

The maximum number of Commission representatives participating in an on-site visit shall be two. The maximum number of Member States’ experts participating in an announced on-site visit shall be eight and six for an unannounced on-site visit.

If experts designated by Member States exceed the relevant maximum number set out in the first subparagraph, the Commission, after consulting the Member States concerned, shall appoint the members of the team on the basis of a geographical balance and the competences of the experts.

Member States’ experts may not participate in an evaluation mission that includes an on-site visit to the Member State where they are employed.

The Commission may invite Frontex, Europol, or other Union bodies, offices or agencies involved in the implementation of the Schengen acquis to designate a representative to take part as an observer in an on-site visit concerning an area covered by their mandate.

The leading experts of an on-site team shall be a Commission representative and an expert from a Member State, who shall be appointed jointly by the members of that team as soon as possible after the team has been set up. The leading experts shall be appointed in due time before the detailed programme referred to in Article 13(2) is established.