Understanding the Schengen Area
Home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, charismatic cities, and friendly people, Europe is the ultimate travel destination for a trip that takes you from beach to mountain and back again via sprawling metropoles, teeny fairytale villages, and endless rolling hills with minimal fuss or muss.
To help minimize complications when traveling across Europe, the Schengen Area was devised to provide unrestricted access across borders for travelers looking to move between countries with relative ease. Below, we examine what exactly the Schengen Area is, which countries are part of the agreement, and the two countries that recently joined the group.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is the world’s largest visa-free zone. The area consists of 27 countries, all located within Europe, that have eliminated the requirement of border checks and passport control when traveling to other countries within the Schengen list. Consequently, travelers visiting anywhere within the Schengen Area can move freely across the borders of Schengen member states without needing to present passports or other documentation.
According to the Schengen Visa website, approximately 3.5 million people cross internal Schengen borders daily. Moreover, nearly 1.7 million people reside in one Schengen area while working in another Schengen nation. The agreement, signed in the eponymous Luxembourg village, has transformed travel across the continent.
Which countries recently joined the Schengen Area?
Romania and Bulgaria are set to join the Schengen Area by the end of March 2024. There will be free movement for EU residents and travelers arriving in the two countries via flights or boats, meaning there will be no passport checks required. However, there has yet to be an outlined date for land borders to be included in the agreement.
Which countries are in the Schengen Area?
The full list of 27 Schengen members is as follows. In late 2023, it was announced that Romania and Bulgaria would be joining the area – the newest additions since Croatia was incorporated in 2022.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- 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
- Switzerland
Is the UK part of the Schengen Area?
In 1999, the UK opted out of becoming a member of Schengen, making it one of only 11 countries not included in the agreement (the others are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine). Therefore, the UK has its own border control policies. Although UK residents do not need a visa for short trips to Schengen countries, there are specific regulations. If UK residents stay for longer than 90 days or visit for purposes other than tourism (with a few exceptions), a Schengen visa may be necessary.
