Schengen Area
19 hours agoThe Schengen Area refers to a region where 26 European nations have eliminated their internal borders, allowing for the free and unrestricted movement of individuals. This area includes 22 member states of the European Union (EU) and four additional countries that are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), namely Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
What are the Countries in the Schengen Area?
The countries within the Schengen Area are: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Although 22 out of the 27 EU member states are included in the Schengen Zone, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia have not yet been accepted into the Schengen Area.
The Republic of Ireland is the only EU member that opted not to sign the Schengen Agreement prior to the 2004 enlargement. Ireland, along with the UK, has established a Common Travel Area that allows passport-free travel for their citizens, as well as for the three British Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, which are outside the European Union.
Are European Microstates Part of the Schengen Zone?
While Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City have no border controls with the surrounding Schengen countries, they are not officially part of the Schengen Area. Monaco shares an open border with France, while Vatican City and San Marino have open borders with Italy. Andorra maintains border controls with both France and Spain and accepts Schengen Visas. Conversely, Liechtenstein has been a member of the Schengen Zone since 2011 but does not issue visas, instead advising visitors to apply for a visa through other Schengen countries.
Territories of Schengen States Outside the Area
The Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira are the only regions that are part of the Schengen Zone but are not situated on the European continent. Territories of EU member states located outside of Europe are exempt from the European Union regulations. For instance, the French overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion, as well as the overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin, are part of the EU but not included in the Schengen Zone. Additionally, the six Dutch territories in the Caribbean and the Danish territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland are also outside both the European Union and the Schengen Area.
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