What is Schengen Area?

Schengen Area is the largest border-free zone in the world, which permits unrestricted movement to more than 425 million citizens of the EU, as well as non-EU nationals living in the bloc or visiting the EU as tourists.

Since the main goal of the Schengen Area is to allow free movement, citizens of the EU are able to travel, live, and work in an EU country without having to undergo complex procedures.

Schengen Member Countries

Currently, the Schengen Area consists of 29 member states:

• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Belgium
• 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

The majority of these countries started to fully implement the Schengen acquis on different dates. The list below shows details of when each country abolished border checks and started to permit unrestricted movement.

• March 26, 1995: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
• March 26, 1997: Italy
• December 1, 1997: Austria
• March 26, 2000: Greece
• March 25, 2001: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
• December 21, 2007: Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
• December 12, 2008 (land borders), March 29, 2009 (air borders): Switzerland
• December 19, 2011: Liechtenstein
• January 1, 2023 (land borders), March 26, 2023 (air borders): Croatia
• March 31, 2024 (air and sea borders): Bulgaria, Romania

As the list reveals, Bulgaria and Romania are the two latest countries that have joined the Schengen Area. However, these two countries have only joined the Schengen Area by air and sea.

Another Schengen extension is not expected to happen in the next years as several criteria need to be before a country becomes part of the Schengen Area.

Why Is It Called Schengen?

The name Schengen comes from a town in Luxembourg where Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement in 985.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa?

Nationals from certain countries are required to obtain a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen Area.

Currently, citizens from 104 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, China, India, and Nigeria, need a visa for short stays.

Types of Schengen Visas

Schengen Visas are categorized based on the purpose of travel:

• Uniform Schengen Visas (USV): Allow transit or stays in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
• Limited Territorial Validity Visas (LTV): Permit travel only within the issuing Schengen state or specific states.
• National Visas: Issued for specific purposes like study or work, allowing longer stays in the issuing country.

Schengen Visa Application Process

Applying for a Schengen Visa involves several steps:

1. Determine the Type of Visa Needed: Identify the visa category that aligns with your travel purpose.
2. Locate the Appropriate Embassy or Consulate: Apply through the embassy or consulate of the country that is your main destination.
3. Schedule an Appointment: Arrange a meeting to submit your application and biometric data.
4. Complete the Application Form: Provide accurate personal and travel information.
5. Gather Required Documents: These typically include:
   • Valid passport
   • Recent photographs
   • Proof of travel insurance
   • Flight itinerary
   • Proof of accommodation
   • Financial means
   • Purpose of travel documentation
6. Attend the Visa Interview
7. Pay the Visa Fee

What Is Flight Itinerary for Visa Application?

A flight itinerary is a detailed plan of your flight schedule, including flight numbers, dates, and destinations. It serves as proof of your travel plans and is often required when applying for a Schengen Visa.

You can obtain a flight itinerary through:

• Booking a Refundable Ticket: Purchase a ticket that you can cancel for a full refund.
• Using a Travel Agency: Some agencies provide itineraries without full payment.

It’s advisable not to purchase non-refundable tickets before obtaining your visa to avoid financial loss in case of denial.

What Is Schengen Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is mandatory for Schengen Visa applicants. The policy must:

• Cover at Least €30,000 in Medical Expenses: Including emergencies and repatriation.
• Be Valid Throughout the Schengen Area: Applicable in all member countries.
• Cover the Entire Duration of Stay: From entry to exit dates.

Ensure the insurance policy meets these criteria to prevent application rejection.

This Is What to Have in Mind When Purchasing Schengen Visa Insurance

While there are many travel insurance policies that Schengen visa applicants can choose from, it is important that certain requirements are met so that the wrong policy does not penalise travellers.

In line with the current EU laws, the travel insurance policy for a Schengen visa must cover at least €30,000 of medical costs, including emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and medical evacuation.

Moreover, the travel insurance policy must be valid in all Schengen member states regardless of whether Schengen visa applicants plan on visiting only one country in the Schengen Area.

Another thing that all Schengen visa applicants must have in mind when purchasing travel insurance is that the policy must cover the entire stay in the Schengen Area.

Those who plan on reaching the Schengen Area multiple times within a short period are recommended to purchase policies with a longer validity so that they do not have to purchase policies each time they want to travel to the Schengen Area.

Additional Considerations for Schengen Visa Application

• Processing Time: Schengen Visa applications are typically processed within 15 calendar days, but this can extend up to 60 days in certain circumstances.
• Visa Validity: The visa’s validity period is determined by the consulate based on your itinerary and purpose of visit.
• Multiple Entries: If you plan to enter and exit the Schengen Area multiple times, ensure your visa specifies multiple entries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are There Internal Border Controls Between Member States of Schengen Area?

Schengen Area represents an unrestricted zone that permits travellers to move from one country to another without undergoing border controls. However, in some cases, police security checks might occur, and temporary controls might be introduced.

Is the UK Part of the Schengen Area?

The UK is not part of the Schengen Area. The country maintains its own immigration and border policies.

Is Every European Country Part of the Schengen Area?

No, not every country located in the European continent is a part of the Schengen Area. Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UK are European countries but not Schengen or EU member states.

Can I Visit Multiple Schengen Countries on a Single Visa?

Yes, you can enter multiple Schengen member states on a single visa. Once you enter the Schengen Area, you are no longer subject to any controls when travelling from one member state to another. However, you must make sure not to exceed the 90/180-day period limit.

Can I Enter Cyprus With a Schengen Visa?

Yes, you can enter Cyprus with a Schengen visa.

Can I Enter Ireland With a Schengen Visa?

No, you can not enter Ireland with a Schengen visa. Ireland has not signed the Schengen Agreement and is only part of the EU. To enter Ireland, you need to hold an Ireland visa.

What Is the 90-Day Rule in the Schengen Area?

In line with the Schengen rules, third-country nationals are not permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

Do I Need To Apply for an ETIAS?

If you fall under the list of foreign nationals who need to obtain a Schengen visa, you do not need to apply for an ETIAS.

Starting in 2025, applying for an ETIAS will become mandatory for nationals of foreign countries who can enter the Schengen Area without a visa.