What is Schengen Area & List of 29 Countries in Schengen Region?
Schengen is a small village in Luxembourg, on the border of Germany and France. This area is historically marked as the location where the Schengen Agreement was signed, resulting in present-day where 29 European countries provide border-free travel to tourists.
This area is known as the Schengen Area – one of the world’s most extensive regions where border control has formally ended.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that have agreed to create a single entry and exit point, to remove the need for internal borders. This simply means that a person travelling from a non-Schengen country to the Schengen region only requires a Schengen visa to be able to visit 29 countries.
What is the Schengen Agreement: A Brief History
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that addresses the wider control of external borders as well as the gradual elimination of internal borders between nations. It started in 1985 as an inter-governmental project between five European Union (EU) countries– France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg – and gradually grew to become the largest free travel area in the world.
The Schengen Agreement and Schengen Convention were signed in 1985 and 1990, respectively, in the small town of Schengen, Luxembourg. Later, other nations joined to bring the total to 29, including both EU members and non-members.
The enlargement of the Schengen Area continued its prosperous journey with Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania being its recent additions in January 2023 and on 30 December 2023 respectively. Both the member states, Bulgaria and Romania fully apply the Schengen acquis from 31 March 2024.
Which Countries are a Part of the Schengen Region?
List of Non-Schengen Countries in Europe
Here is the list of non-Schengen European countries:
| Albania | Armenia |
| Andorra | North Macedonia |
| Azerbaijan | Moldova |
| Belarus | Russia |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Montenegro |
| Cyprus | Serbia |
| San Marino | Ukraine |
| Monaco | Vatican City |
| United Kingdom which comprises of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales | |
The microstates of San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are not official members of the Schengen Zone. However, they are considered ‘de facto’ (in practice) inside the area; and, therefore, do not impose border controls.
Russia, while geographically part of Europe, is a non-Schengen country as well. It, therefore, imposes its own border controls and travel restrictions.
Note: For non-Schengen countries listed above, a separate national visa may be required, depending on the country. Always check specific visa requirements before traveling.
List of Non-EU Countries That Are Part of the Schengen Area
There are four non-EU countries that are members of the Schengen Zone.
What are the Benefits of the Schengen Zone?
Some of the benefits of the Schengen Zone for travellers are listed as follows:
Ease of Travel
The Schengen zone allows travellers to travel freely without any border restrictions. If a traveller wants to visit more than one European country that lies within the Schengen area, they can simply apply for a single Schengen visa.
No Border Checks Hassle
Citizens of the European Union states have the right to live and work in any other EU state, and Schengen helps facilitate this by removing costly or inconvenient border checks between nations.
Single Visa
The Schengen Agreement also benefits foreign travellers as it is cheaper and easier to apply for a single short-stay Schengen Visa (issued by the country where you are spending most of your visit) that enables you to travel across all 29 countries.
Economic Growth
Approximately more than 400 million people cross the borders annually. This has benefitted the European Schengen member countries greatly in terms of culture and tourism.
Visa Requirement for Schengen Countries: What is a Schengen Visa?
Since the 29 Schengen area countries follow a common travel policy, they issue a single visa known as the Schengen visa for visiting tourists. Schengen is known as the world’s largest visa-free zone for countries which form a part of it.
All Indian passport holders are required to apply for a Schengen visa if they wish to travel to one or more of the 29 Schengen countries, for work, transit, travel or other purposes. Indians can get a Schengen visa for up to 90 days of stay. You may need a multiple entry visa if you’re looking to travel to more than one country in one trip.
Read more: Types of Schengen Visa Explained
Eligibility Criteria for Indians to Qualify for a Schengen Visa
When applying for a Schengen visa, you must check the following criteria to ensure a smooth visa application process. A visa application can be submitted 6 months prior to the beginning of the planned journey.
Travel insurance that provides medical coverage of up to €30,000 is mandatory.
The reason for travelling as well as the time frame must be justified.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa
When applying for a visa for Schengen area countries, you will need the following list of documents:
A duly filled application form.
Two identical, recent coloured photos of dimensions 35X45mm. Ensure that it shows 70-80% of your face.
A passport that is valid for a minimum of 3 months after your proposed trip and has at least two blank pages. If you have a previous passport that has expired or been cancelled, this needs to be carried as well.
Proof of travel and stay reservations.
Travel Insurance for Schengen with minimum medical coverage of €30,000.
Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself, i.e., the bank statement of the last 6 months.
A cover letter explaining your purpose to travel.
Proof of paid fees for the respective visa.
Cost of Schengen Visa for Indians
Note: The Schengen visa charges for Indian citizens in Indian currency is subject to change as per the exchange rate. As of 22nd October 2024, the exchange rate for €1 is ₹91.
How do Countries Join the Schengen Area?
The criteria to join the Schengen Area for countries are:
They should be able to follow and implement the Schengen rules regarding border control, visa and data protection according to the Schengen Acquis*.
The countries should cooperate with other agencies in the Schengen zones regarding security and border control.
They should hold accountability for every Schengen visa issued and for external border control.
They must use the Schengen Information System (SIS)**.
* The Schengen Acquis refers to a set of rules, regulations and legislations that regulate the abolishment of border controls for internal borders and strengthening the border controls at the external borders of member states.
**The Schengen Information System is a data tool where member states exchange information about suspected criminals, individuals who might not have the right to enter and illegal residents, stolen, misappropriated or lost assets, as well as missing people.
What is the Difference Between the EU and the Schengen Area?
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union among 27 countries. They detail more than just travel and visa policies for the member states. They were initially formed in 1993 to stop future wars and create an economic boom. Citizens of European states can vote on decisions of the European Union as it is a governmental body that upholds the democracy of the member states.
The Schengen Area, on the other hand, was formed in 1985 with only 5 EU countries involved, for the purpose of allowing borderless travel. Which is now expanded to include 29 countries in Schengen region. The region promotes freedom of travel for its citizens and tourists with a common visa scheme for foreigners.
Is the UK in the European Union or Schengen Area?
The United Kingdom doesn’t belong either in the EU or in the Schengen region.
The departure of the UK from the EU was known as Brexit which occurred in the year 2020 (1). The reason for the UK to leave the EU ranges from control of monetary decisions within the country’s own government to immigration laws and trade regulations, restoration of national independence and safe and secure borders.
For similar reasons, the UK is not a part of the Schengen Zone either. It maintains its own border restrictions and preserves movement arrangements with neighbouring countries such as Ireland. This is due to its unique geographical positioning- the UK, like Ireland, has sea borders and hence requires passport checks for security and immigration purposes. When travelling to the UK, you must have a UK Tourist Visa from India.
FAQs about the Schengen Area
Can I travel to a non-Schengen country with a Schengen visa?
No, Indian citizens need to apply for separate visas for countries not in the Schengen Zone. For non-Schengen countries like the UK, Russia, and others, a national visa is required. For microstates, a Schengen visa works since they have no border checks with Schengen countries.
It is important to go through the official websites before visiting these countries.
Should my first trip be to the country which issued my Schengen visa?
Your first point of entry into the Schengen Area does not have to be the same as the country that issued your visa. However, it should be your primary destination or the country where you plan to stay the longest.
Which European countries can I easily get into with a Schengen visa?
With a Schengen visa, you can get quick and easy visa approval to Luxembourg, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Czech Republic, Finland and Estonia.
Which country recently joined the Schengen area?
Bulgaria and Romania were the latest addition to the Schengen region, joining the zone on 31 March 2024.
Is Iceland in the Schengen area?
Yes, Iceland has been a Schengen member state since 2001. If you are travelling to Iceland, you must have a Schengen visa on you.
How long can I stay in the Schengen area without a visa?
You can stay for 90 days in a 180-day period in the Schengen area countries. The stay days are calculated on all the Schengen member countries on the whole. For eg: If you do not have a visa, you can stay in multiple Schengen member state countries for a total of 90 days.
Can non-EU citizens travel freely within the Schengen Area?
Yes, non-EU citizens including Indians can travel freely within the Schengen area with a Schengen visa! If you're a non-EU citizen with a valid Schengen visa, you're free to travel across the 29 Schengen countries without needing additional visas. It's like having one visa for all those countries.
How has the Schengen Area improved security in the EU?
The Schengen Area has made things a lot safer by creating a unified visa policy and boosting controls at the external borders. This helps catch potential security risks before they enter. Plus, member countries now share more information, which makes it easier for law enforcement to work together across borders.
Can border controls be reintroduced within the Schengen Area?
Yes, border controls can be reintroduced within the Schengen Area but only in special situations. If there's a serious threat to public safety or security, countries can temporarily bring back border controls. However, these measures must be carefully measured and only last for a limited time.
How are the external borders of the Schengen Area protected?
The Schengen Area protects its external borders through a shared visa policy and advanced systems for border control. There's also close cooperation between different countries' border guards. They use biometric data, risk assessments, and share crucial information to keep the borders secure.