What countries are included in the Schengen Zone?

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:

Joined January 2023

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:

Maintains its own Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom and is not part of Schengen.

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:

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:

14 June 1985

26 March 1995

27 November 1990

26 October 1997

25 June 1991

6 November 1992

1 January 2000

28 April 1995

1 December 1997

19 December 1996

25 March 2001

9 December 1996

16 April 2003

21 December 2007

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

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.

• The Schengen rules are legally binding within EU law and incorporated into national legislation through various EU treaties and protocols.