The Schengen Area is a region of 29 European countries that have abolished their internal borders to allow the free and unrestricted movement of people. It covers a vast area of 4,718,084 km2 and is home to over 448 million citizens.
Most EU countries are within the Schengen Area except Ireland and Cyprus which will soon be part of it. Additionally, several non-EU countries like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are integral members despite their non-EU status.
Schengen Area is the largest visa-free zone in the world.
Which Are the Schengen Area Countries?
The 29 Schengen countries are Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Map of the Schengen and EU Countries
On March 31st, Bulgaria and Romania officially joined the Schengen area. This means that Schengen rules, including the issuance of Schengen visas and the elimination of controls at internal air and sea borders, will now be in effect in both countries.
Austria
Austria signed the Schengen Agreement on 28 April 1995, but it started implementing it two years later, on 1 December 1997.
Belgium
Belgium was one of the five first countries to sign the Schengen agreement on 14 June 1985 and started its implementation on 26 March 1995.
Its capital, Brussels, is the European Union’s administrative centre, often called the EU’s capital city.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria became a partial member of the Schengen Area on March 31, 2024.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic officially joined the Schengen Zone on 21 December 2007.
Croatia
Croatia, the newest addition to the Schengen Area, officially joined on January 1, 2023. However, its journey towards integration began earlier, with Croatia implementing various aspects of the Schengen acquis since its EU accession in 2013.
Denmark
The Danish government signed the Schengen agreement on December 19, 1996, and started its implementation on 25 March 2001. However, Denmark is currently one of the six Schengen countries that reintroduced border checks due to the security threats resulting from the continuous significant secondary movements.
Estonia
The northern European Republic of Estonia signed the Schengen agreement on 16 April 2003 and started its implementation on 21 December 2007.
Finland
Finland signed the Schengen agreement on 19 December 1996 and started its implementation on 25 March 2001.
France
France was one of the five founding countries of the Schengen Zone on 14 June 1985. The agreement’s implementation started in France on 26 March 1995.
Germany
Germany is one of the five founding countries of the Schengen agreement, signed on 14 June 1985. It started its implementation ten years later, on 26 March 1995.
Greece
Greece signed the Schengen agreement on 6 November 1992 and started its implementation on 1 January 2000.
Hungary
Located in Central Europe, Hungary signed the Schengen agreement on 16 April 2003 and started its implementation on 21 December 2007.
Iceland
Iceland first signed the Schengen Agreement on 19 December 1996. It signed a second agreement, which replaced the first, on 18 May 1999, following the incorporation of the agreement into EU law by the Treaty of Amsterdam. Iceland finally started the implementation of the agreement on 25 March 2001.
Italy
Italy started implementing the Schengen Agreement on 26 October 1997, having previously signed it on 27 November 1990.
Latvia
Latvia signed the Schengen agreement on 16 April 2003 and started its implementation on 21 December 2007, thus becoming part of the European borderless territory.
Liechtenstein
On 19 December 2011, Liechtenstein signed the Schengen Agreement, being one of the few European countries to sign in later than its neighbouring countries.
Lithuania
Lithuania signed the Schengen agreement on April 16, 2003, and commenced implementation on December 21, 2007. Notably, in 2017, it processed 413,966 visa applications, surpassing several European countries.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the founding states of the Schengen Agreement. Signed on June 14, 1985, in the village of Schengen within Luxembourg, this historic location also lends its name to the agreement.
Luxembourg’s capital, Luxembourg City, is one of the European Union’s three official capitals.
Malta
Malta signed the Schengen Agreement on April 16, 2003, and commenced implementation on December 21, 2007.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the five founding states of the Schengen agreement, signed on 14 June 1985, and a founding member of the EU, Eurozone, G10, NATO, OECD, and WTO.
Norway
Norway signed the Schengen Agreement on 19 December 1996. A second agreement, which replaced the first, was signed on 18 May 1999 following the agreement’s incorporation into EU law with the Treaty of Amsterdam. Norway started the implementation of the agreement on 25 March 2001.
Poland
Poland signed the agreement on 16 April 2003 and started its implementation in late 2007.
Portugal
Portugal signed the Schengen agreement alongside its only neighbour Spain, on 25 June 1991 and started its implementation on 26 March 1995.
Romania
Romania became a partial member of the Schengen Area on March 31, 2024.
Slovakia
Slovakia became an independent country after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia on 1 January 1993. Ten years later, on 16 April 2003, it signed the Schengen agreement. On 21 December 2007, it started the execution of this convention.
Slovenia
Slovenia joined the Schengen Area on 16 April 2003 and started fully implementing the convention four years later, on 21 December 2007.
After Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Malta, Slovenia is the smallest Schengen state.
Spain
Spain signed the agreement alongside Portugal on 25 June 1991, and both of them started their implementation on 26 March 1995.
Sweden
Sweden signed the agreement on 09 December 1996 and started implementing it later on 25 March 2001.
Switzerland
Switzerland, a non-EU country, joined the Schengen area after signing the agreement on 26 October 2004 and starting its implementation on 12 December 2008.
Schengen Countries Special Considerations
The following countries are special cases within the Schengen Agreement:
- Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are associate members of the Schengen Area but are not members of the EU. They are part of the EFTA and implement the Schengen acquis through specific agreements related to the Schengen agreement.
- Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City have opened their borders but are not members of the visa-free zone.
- The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone, even though they are located outside the European continent.
European Countries That Are Not Part of the Schengen Area or the European Union
Here is a list of European countries that are neither members of the European Union nor participants in the Schengen Zone:
- Albania
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Russia
- Serbia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
How Does a Country Join the Schengen Zone?
To join the Schengen Area, a European country must go through an evaluation process and be able to meet a specific set of conditions known as the Copenhagen Criteria.
- To be able, on behalf of other member countries, to control the external borders of the Area as well as to issue Uniform Schengen Visas.
- To possess the competence that, after the abolishment of border controls between member states, to capably collaborate with other member countries’ law enforcement agencies for a greater level of security.
- To be equipped in applying “Schengen Acquis” or rules for controlling land, sea, and air borders, issuing short-stay visas, police collaboration as well as protection of personal data.
- To be ready to join and put in use the Schengen Information System (SIS).
How Does the Schengen Zone Affect My Traveling?
A part of the Schengen zone and its members is a uniform visa, otherwise known as a Schengen visa, which most visitors need to visit any country in this area.
So, if you are planning to visit a European country on this list, you need to verify first whether you need a Schengen visa. If you do, you must go through the application process and receive a visa, and only then you travel to any of the Schengen countries.
FAQ
Are There Any Internal Border Checks Between Schengen Member States?
While Schengen strives for unrestricted movement, occasional security checks by the police might occur, although these checks are not intended to be as extensive as full border controls.
Is the UK a Schengen Country?
The UK is not a Schengen country because it has opted to maintain its own immigration and border control policies. Therefore, if you are travelling to the UK, you will be subject to the UK’s specific visa and entry requirements, which are separate from the Schengen Area.
Are All European Countries in the Schengen Area?
No, out of 45 European countries, only 29 are in the Schengen Area. Some have opted out of the agreement, and others do not currently meet the eligibility criteria to sign it.
Can I Visit More than One Schengen Country?
Yes, with a valid Schengen visa, you can visit any of the 29 countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement.
Can I Use a Schengen Visa to Visit Ireland?
No, it is not possible to travel to Ireland with a Schengen visa. Despite being a member of the European Union, Ireland has chosen to stay outside the Schengen Agreement, maintaining its independent visa and border control systems.
Do I Have to Present My Passport at Schengen Area Border Crossings?
Although there aren’t regular border checks, it’s advisable to carry your passport or ID card in case authorities request identification.