The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have officially abolished internal borders. Citizens and authorised visitors can move freely within the zone without undergoing passport control between member states. This agreement is underpinned by shared policies for external border management, immigration, police cooperation, and judicial collaboration.
Except for Ireland and the countries that will soon be part of Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus, the Schengen Area covers the majority of EU countries. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are all members of the Schengen zone despite not being EU members.
A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows its holder to travel freely throughout the Schengen area. There are no border restrictions between the 27 nations that make up the Schengen area (“Schengen States”). Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland are among these countries.
A Schengen visa permits:
- Short stays: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across Schengen States.
- Airport transit: Travel through the international transit areas of Schengen country airports.
Number of Schengen Countries in 2025
As of June 2025, there are 29 countries that are full members of the Schengen Area.
Current Schengen Member States (as of June 2025)
The following countries are part of the Schengen Area, arranged alphabetically for clarity:
Country
Schengen Status
Austria
Full Member
Belgium
Full Member
Croatia
Joined January 2023
Czech Republic
Full Member
Denmark
Full Member
Estonia
Full Member
Finland
Full Member
France
Full Member
Germany
Full Member
Greece
Full Member
Hungary
Full Member
Iceland
Full Member
Italy
Full Member
Latvia
Full Member
Liechtenstein
Full Member
Lithuania
Full Member
Luxembourg
Full Member
Malta
Full Member
Netherlands
Full Member
Norway
Full Member
Poland
Full Member
Portugal
Full Member
Slovakia
Full Member
Slovenia
Full Member
Spain
Full Member
Sweden
Full Member
Switzerland
Full Member
Romania
Partial: Air & Sea (March 2024)
Bulgaria
Partial: Air & Sea (March 2024)
Note: Romania and Bulgaria have partial Schengen implementation, currently limited to air and sea borders. Full land border integration is still pending.
Non-Schengen EU Countries
The following countries are members of the European Union (EU) but are not currently part of the Schengen Area:
Country
Schengen Status
Ireland
Maintains its own Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom and is not part of Schengen.
Cyprus
Has not yet implemented the Schengen rules or joined the border-free area.
Non-EU Schengen Members
The Schengen Area also includes countries that are not EU members. These states apply the Schengen rules through specific agreements with the EU:
Country
Schengen Status
Norway
Non-EU country – Full member of the Schengen Area.
Iceland
Non-EU country – Full member of the Schengen Area.
Switzerland
Non-EU country – Full member of the Schengen Area.
Liechtenstein
Non-EU country – Full member of the Schengen Area.
Schengen Area Membership Timeline and Implementation Dates
Below is a reference timeline of notable accessions and implementation milestones:
Country
Agreement Signed
Implementation Date
France
14 June 1985
26 March 1995
Germany
14 June 1985
26 March 1995
Netherlands
14 June 1985
26 March 1995
Belgium
14 June 1985
26 March 1995
Luxembourg
14 June 1985
26 March 1995
Italy
27 November 1990
26 October 1997
Spain
25 June 1991
26 March 1995
Portugal
25 June 1991
26 March 1995
Greece
6 November 1992
1 January 2000
Austria
28 April 1995
1 December 1997
Denmark
19 December 1996
25 March 2001
Finland
19 December 1996
25 March 2001
Sweden
9 December 1996
25 March 2001
Norway
19 December 1996
25 March 2001
Iceland
19 December 1996
25 March 2001
Czech Republic
16 April 2003
21 December 2007
Estonia
16 April 2003
21 Dece
Guidance for Travellers and Applicants
Travellers applying for a Schengen visa or ETIAS authorisation should:
- Verify destination countries: Ensure all intended destinations are Schengen members or otherwise permit visa-free transit with your travel document.
- Note partial access: Romania and Bulgaria currently allow Schengen-authorised entry at air and sea border points only.
- Check passport validity: Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.
- Avoid assumptions: EU membership does not imply automatic Schengen membership. Always confirm the Schengen status of each country in your travel itinerary.
Legal and Operational Status
- The Schengen rules are legally binding within EU law and incorporated into national legislation through various EU treaties and protocols.
Schengen States operate with shared databases, including the Schengen Information System (SIS), enabling border security, law enforcement cooperation, and visa issuance tracking.
To avoid processing errors or border entry issues, ensure your understanding of Schengen geography aligns with your travel documentation and itinerary. Misinterpretation of membership status can lead to denied boarding or entry delays.