In 2024, the Schengen Area comprises 29 member countries committed to borderless travel within Europe. This agreement, signed in Luxembourg in 1985, is the world's largest free-travel zone, benefiting over 425 million people, including EU citizens and visa-free non-EU nationals.
As of 2024, the Schengen Area includes the following 29 member states:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- 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 Schengen Agreement eliminates internal border controls among member states, enabling EU citizens and non-EU nationals to travel freely within the Schengen Area. This allows seamless movement for work, residence, and travel without extensive immigration procedures. Recent expansions, like Bulgaria and Romania joining for air and sea travel, underscore efforts to strengthen this zone of unrestricted movement.
Member states adhere to the Schengen acquis, which standardizes external border management, visa policies, and police cooperation to maintain security and integrity. The Schengen Area is a key achievement in European integration, promoting economic, cultural, and social exchanges while upholding robust security measures. For the latest updates on European Countries, stay tuned to EU Helpers.