The Schengen Area countries | European Union

The Schengen Area is indeed a cornerstone of the European integration project, symbolizing one of the most significant steps toward unity and cooperation among European nations. It was initiated in 1985 with the signing of the Schengen Agreement by five EU countries: France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This agreement laid the groundwork for the creation of the world’s largest free travel area, allowing people to move freely across borders without internal border checks.

The Schengen Area consists of 27 countries, covering most of mainland Europe. The countries in the Schengen Area are:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Czechia (Czech Republic)
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Iceland
12. Italy
13. Latvia
14. Liechtenstein
15. Lithuania
16. Luxembourg
17. Malta
18. Netherlands
19. Norway
20. Poland
21. Portugal
22. Slovakia
23. Slovenia
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Switzerland
27. Croatia (joined in 2023)

Note:

• Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus are EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area but are in the process of joining.
• Ireland is also not part of the Schengen Area but maintains its own visa policies.

Thus, the Schengen Area comprises 27 countries, not 29.