The Schengen Area is a territory of 29 European countries that have abolished their mutual borders, allowing for passport-free movement of people within the area. It covers an area of 4,312,099 square kilometers which is 1,664,911 square miles.
Schengen Area Countries List
Here is the list of the 29 Schengen countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Czechia
- 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
Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are not EU members but are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
| Type of zone | Passport-free area with a common visa policy |
| Number of member countries | 29 |
| Date created | 14 June 1985 |
| Total area | 4,312,099 km2 |
| Population as of 2018 | 419,392,429 |
| Number of crossings per year (in 2022) | 1.3 billion |
What is the Visa Policy of Schengen Area Countries?
The European Union member states have a common list of the countries, the nationals of which need a visa in order to enter the Schengen territory. The EU decides on visa exemptions case by case.The Schengen states also have common rules for issuing short-stay Schengen visas, which are valid within the entire Schengen area. These visas allow a person to stay and travel in the territories of Schengen states for a maximum of 90 days in any six month period.
Depending on the purpose of your travel the embassy or consulate of your Schengen destination country will issue you the appropriate visa.
How Can I Gain Entry Into the Countries of the Schengen Area?
To enter a country in the Schengen Area you must present some additional documents at the Schengen port of entry. If you have already obtained a visa for the Schengen area, you need to show your passport with the Schengen visa sticker to the official at the Schengen port of entry. However, they might also ask for proof of purchased Schengen travel insurance and some evidence of accommodation in Europe.
Schengen Area Security System
Technology plays a crucial role in the Security System of the Schengen Area, in the reinforcement of external borders and the collecting, processing, and sharing of information that is relevant to external border management. Read more about the Schengen area security systems here.
Are European Microstates Part of the Schengen Zone?
Though Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City have no border controls with the Schengen countries that surround them officially they are not part of the Schengen Area. While Monaco has an open border with France, the Vatican City and San Marino have an open border with Italy.Andorra retains border controls with both France and Spain and accepts Schengen Visas (multiple-entry visas only).
On the other hand, Liechtenstein which has been a Schengen zone member country since 2011, does not issue visas but recommends visitors to apply for a visa at other Schengen countries.
The Status of Territories of Schengen States Outside Mainland Europe
The Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira are the only territories of Schengen countries which are part of the Schengen Zone, while they are not located in the European continent.
On the other hand, the French overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Réunion, and the overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin as well, are part of the European Union but do not part of the Schengen Zone.
The six Dutch territories in the Caribbean and the Danish territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland as well are neither part of the European Union or the Schengen Area.
The Impact of the Schengen Area on Border Control
The essential features of the Schengen Area which are based on the elimination of borders between the European member countries are as follows:
- There are no checks in the internal borders between member countries and harmonized controls are carried out at external borders based on jointly agreed criteria.
- No border checks are carried out when traveling between Schengen countries, but identification documents are required at ports of entry and airports.
- Schengen member states must facilitate smooth road traffic flow.
- Police checks may only be carried out to prevent possible public security threats.
- The establishment of joint police centers and teams to increase police cooperation through hot pursuit and cross-border surveillance.
- Common rules and asylum policies for non-Schengen citizens crossing the EU’s external border.
Temporary Reintroduction of Internal Border Control
The Schengen rules still allow national authorities of each country to exceptionally and temporarily reintroduce internal border controls in case of a serious threat to security or of serious deficiencies at the external border that can put the overall functioning of the Schengen area at risk. This is regulated through the Regulation (EU) No 1051/2013 that the EU has adopted.
Criteria for Joining the Schengen Zone
To become a member of the Schengen Area, prospective countries are required to fulfill specific criteria, as outlined in the Council Regulation (EU) No 1053/2013. These criteria include:
- Being able to control the external borders on behalf of other Schengen countries.
- Issue uniform Schengen Visas.
- Being capable to work effectively with other Schengen states in maintaining a high level of security after the removal of internal border controls.
- Comply with all Schengen rules, including those on border controls, visa issuing, police cooperation, and personal data protection.
- Connect to and utilize the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS) in order to join the Schengen Area.
Applicant countries have to undergo a “Schengen evaluation” before joining the Schengen Area. There is also something called a Schengen Evaluation Mechanism, which controls the member countries, whether they are carrying their duties as they are supposed to. Approximately, each year 5 to 7 member states are evaluated through visits by the Commission teams of experts. After each visit a Schengen Evaluation Report is drawn up. If it identifies any weakness on the evaluated country, then recommendations for remedial action are presented.