List of Schengen Countries in 2025

The Schengen Area consists of 29 countries, allowing you to travel freely between them without needing separate visas. With this policy, you can visit European countries within the Schengen Area with greater ease. Before planning your vacation, take a look at the updated list of Schengen countries along with other essential information you should know.

What is the Schengen Area? 

The Schengen Area is a region in Europe made up of several countries that have agreed to abolish internal borders. The name "Schengen" comes from a small village in Luxembourg, where this important agreement was first signed on June 14, 1985. The agreement took effect on March 26, 1995, marking the beginning of the era of free movement in Europe.
The main purpose of the agreement is to simplify the movement of people between member states, as well as to allow residents the freedom to live and work in any country within the Schengen Area under certain conditions. This policy also connects member states without visa barriers.

Schengen vs. European Union 

Many people often confuse the Schengen Area with the European Union (EU), but there are significant differences between the two in terms of function, membership, and policies. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Function

Schengen is a free travel zone focused on removing passport checks at internal borders to facilitate the movement of people, trade, and tourism.
On the other hand, the EU is a political and economic union that aims to create integration in various sectors, such as trade, international relations, and law. The EU functions as a supranational organization that sets policies to enhance stability and cooperation among its member states.

Membership

There is a key difference in membership between the Schengen Area and the EU. The Schengen Area currently includes 29 countries, including non-EU countries such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
The EU consists of 27 member states, but not all EU members are part of the Schengen Area. For example, Ireland has opted not to join Schengen.

Policies

The Schengen Area has a policy that simplifies travel between countries by eliminating passport controls and implementing the Schengen visa. This visa allows its holder to visit all Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Meanwhile, the EU encompasses broader policies such as free trade through the Single Market, the use of the Euro in 20 member states within the Eurozone, and unified regulations for environmental protection, transportation, and human rights.

List of Schengen Countries in 2025 

At the beginning of 2025, two Eastern European countries, Romania and Bulgaria, officially joined the Schengen Area. These countries had already removed border checks at their ports and airports in March 2024.
The Schengen Area includes a total of 29 countries, made up of 25 EU members and 4 non-EU members. Here is the updated list of Schengen countries in 2025.

• Austria
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Croatia
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Greece

European Countries Not Part of Schengen 

Although many European countries are part of the Schengen Area, some countries have chosen not to join. Here are a few countries that are not part of Schengen.

United Kingdom

Following its exit from the EU through Brexit in 2020, the UK is not part of the Schengen Area. This means travelers wishing to visit the UK need to apply for a separate visa, depending on the duration and purpose of the visit. The UK maintains its own stricter border policies compared to Schengen countries.

Ireland

Ireland is part of the EU but has opted not to join Schengen. The country has a special arrangement with the UK known as the Common Travel Area (CTA), which allows visa-free travel between the two countries. However, travelers from outside the EU or the UK still need a special visa to enter Ireland.

Balkans

Some Balkan countries, such as Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, are not members of Schengen. These countries have their own visa policies, although some are in the process of joining the EU and may potentially become part of Schengen in the future. Travelers planning to visit these countries should check the visa requirements for each destination.

Belarus and Ukraine

Both Belarus and Ukraine are not part of the Schengen Area, even though they are geographically close to many Schengen countries. Belarus has a relatively strict visa policy, while Ukraine has introduced visa-free policies for some EU and Schengen countries. However, visitors from outside these regions still require a special visa.

Microstates

Microstates like Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City are not part of the Schengen Area, although they are surrounded by Schengen countries. Entry policies for these countries generally depend on the neighboring Schengen country. For example, travelers entering Monaco via France do not need an additional visa.