What Is The Schengen Agreement? - Schengen Areas & Visa 2023

There are 27 Schengen agreement countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Citizens of these nations don't need to obtain any type of visa to travel, live, work, and study within the Schengen zone countries. These nations enjoy free movement within the Schengen Area.

The following countries don't form part of the Schengen Area. If you wish to travel to the Schengen Zone from these countries, you'll need to apply for a visa.

Non-Schengen European Union Countries

• 1

  Bulgaria

• 2

  Romania

• 3

  Cyprus

• 4

  Ireland

• 5

  United Kingdom

Non Schengen Countries

• 1

  Albania

• 2

  Armenia

• 3

  Azerbaijan

• 4

  Belarus

• 5

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 6

  Macedonia

• 7

  Moldova

• 8

  Montenegro

• 9

  Serbia

• 10

  Ukraine

Bulgaria officially joined the European Union in 2007 and in 2011 the European Parliament approved its request to join the Schengen Area. However, since then there have been many discussions about whether or not Bulgaria meets the requirements to join the Schengen Zone.

Currently, Bulgaria is only partially covered by Schengen laws. Passport checks are still in place at Bulgaria's borders, and the European Council has yet to determine whether Bulgaria should completely join the Schengen Area.

According to Romania's Prime Minister Florin Cîțu, Romania is very close to joining the Schengen Area. Prime Minister Florin Cîțu announced that Romania could be joining the Schengen Area as early as this year, provided that their Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report is favourable.

The CVM is set up for Romania and Bulgaria as a transitional measure to help assist the countries remedy certain shortcomings. These shortcomings include corruption, organized crime, and progress in regards to fields of judicial reform.

Nevertheless, there is still no official confirmation that Romania will be joining the Schengen Area this year. But, in the light of recent events, it is highly possible that Romania will be joining in the near future.

Even though Cyprus has not been officially accepted to join the Schengen Area, it has started the process to be eligible to join in the future. In September 2019, Cyprus's Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, stated that the country had begun the process of applying for Schengen membership.

Although Cyprus has started the process of joining the Schengen member countries, there is no clear date on when this will actually happen. The application process is still ongoing and Cyprus has met the first requirements. It is expected that Cyprus will potentially join the Schengen Area in the future.

The term "Brexit" refers to the United Kingdom's (UK) departure or withdrawal from the European Union making it a non-EU State. The term "Brexit" is a combination of "Britain" and "exit."

The United Kingdom conducted a referendum on its membership in the European Union on June 23, 2016. Voters were faced with this question: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?". In the end, there were 51.89% of voters who voted to leave the EU. Since then, the UK left the EU on the 31st of January 2020.

On 24 December 2020, negotiations between the UK and EU finally came to an end. Both the EU and UK have agreed to set out the terms in 3 agreements. These agreements are as follow:

• 1

  the Trade and Cooperation Agreement

• 2

  the Security of Information Agreement

• 3

  the Civil Nuclear Agreement

As of 1 January 2021, these agreements have taken effect.

The UK stands for The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a sovereign state that is made up of the following 4 countries:

• 1

  England

• 2

  Scotland

• 3

  Wales

• 4

  Northern Ireland

UK citizens who plan to travel to the Schengen Zone for non-essential purposes will be happy to know that they are covered by a Schengen Visa waiver. Meaning, UK citizens don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa if they plan a short trip to one of the Schengen Area countries.

British citizens only enjoy visa-free travel for the following purposes:

• 1

  travel for tourism purposes

• 2

  travel for short business activities, such as attending meetings

The Schengen Visa waiver only allows British citizens to enjoy a stay for a duration of 90 days per 180 days. You'll need to apply for a specific visa or permit if:

• 1

  you're staying for longer than 90 days

• 2

  you're studying, and your studies exceed 90 days

• 3

  you're traveling for business

• 4

  you'll be carrying out work-related activities that are not covered by the visa waiver

Note that the 90-day rule applies to the Schengen Area as a group. Meaning, no matter what Schengen country you visit, the duration of your stay counts towards the 90-day rule. Whereas countries outside the Schengen Area have their own 90-day rule. For example, you can visit Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania for 90 days each. Totaling 360 days of travel. Whereas in the Schengen area countries, you may only visit its countries for a total of 90 days per 180 days.

UK citizens traveling to an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, will need to have the following travel documents at hand:

• 1

  A Valid Passport in a good condition and valid for at least 3 months from the day after you leave the last country you intend to visit.

• 2

  Valid Travel Insurance/Valid Health Insurance: Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will be valid. If you plan to travel to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, you'll need to purchase valid medical insurance that provides the same medical coverage as that of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

• 3

  A Return Ticket Or Travel Itinerary: You can use the Atlys flight itinerary and the hotel itinerary tools to get these documents.

• 4

  Proof Of Sufficient Financial Means by presenting your bank statements and payslips. The amount depending on the country you visit.

• 5

  Valid Driving Documents: If you plan to travel with your own vehicle, you’ll need valid vehicle insurance and a UK sticker. Also, some EU countries might require you to obtain an international driving permit (IDP).

A Schengen Visa is a travel authorization that allows its holder to travel within the Schengen Area for a duration of 90 days per 180 days. With a Schengen Visa, you can travel to any one of the Schengen member states, provided that you meet the minimum requirements. When applying for your Schengen Visa, you can either apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. This will allow you to visit the Schengen Area more than once.

Note that each Schengen Country may have different requirements. Before applying for your Schengen Visa, we recommend you look at the country's requirements and ensure that you can meet them.

Applying for a Schengen Visa can be a tedious and time-consuming process. There can be a lot of uncertainty when applying for your visa, especially if you are unsure about the required documents and the visa application process.

Nevertheless, there is an easy way you can apply for your Schengen Visa.

The easiest way to get your Schengen visa is through the AtlysBlack. AtlysBlack is a personal visa concierge that offers expedited visa appointments.

Typically, you'll need to apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you plan to visit. For example: if you plan to travel to France for tourism, you'll need to apply for your French Schengen Visa/Tourist Visa at your local French Embassy or Consulate.

Another way to apply for your Schengen Visa is with AtlysBlack. With AtlysBlack, you can apply for your Schengen Visa from anywhere.

Your Schengen Visa will be valid for a duration of 90 days in a 6 month period. With your Schengen Visa, you are allowed to travel to any of the Schengen countries as long as the duration of your stay does not exceed 90 days.

Note: The Schengen Visa only allows you to travel for non-essential purposes. Meaning, you're not allowed to work, study or permanently live in the Schengen Area unless you have a visa or permit that allows such activities.

Once you have submitted your Schengen Visa application, you can expect the Schengen processing time to be 15 calendar days.

However, there are some cases where you'll need to wait longer for feedback. This can happen when there is a sudden demand for Schengen Visas in a country, political unrest in a country, or new laws and regulations are being implemented in a country.

Here's a simple guide to help you decide where to submit your Schengen visa application:

• 1

  If you plan to visit only one Schengen country, apply at that Schengen visa countries’ embassy or consulate.

• 2

  If you're visiting multiple Schengen countries for different durations, apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to stay the longest.

• 3

  If you're visiting multiple Schengen countries for the same duration, apply at the embassy or consulate of the country you'll be visiting first.

The name "Schengen" originated from Schengen in Luxembourg, where the Schengen Agreement was signed by the initial 5 Schengen Countries. Schengen is an agreement that allows citizens from many European countries to travel between member states freely. In most cases, citizens from member states only need to present their passport or government-issued ID to travel between the different member states of the Schengen Area.

These are the 27 countries in Schengen include:

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

There are some countries that enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel to the Schengen Area. Meaning, citizens from the following countries don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to the Schengen Area:

Albania (only holders of biometric passport), Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia , Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina (only holders of biometric passport), Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hong Kong S.A.R (Only for holders of the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" ), Israel, Japan, Kiribati , Macao S.A.R (Only for holders of the“Região Administrativa Especial de Macau” passport), Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova (only holders of biometric passport), Monaco, Montenegro (only holders of biometric passport), Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia (only holders of biometric passport), Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Serbia (only holders of biometric passport), Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan (only if your passport contains an identity card number), Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

The following Schengen Countries are not part of the European Union (EU):

• 1

  Switzerland

• 2

  Norway

• 3

  Iceland

• 4

  Lichtenstein

No, the UK does not form part of the Schengen Zone.

No, not anymore. The UK is the first and only country that has officially left the EU. It is more popularly known as Brexit.

Security is of course a great concern when it comes to travel within the Schengen Area. Technology plays a crucial role in the Schengen Area Security System. We’ll be briefly discussing the following systems so you can have an understanding about how security is being implemented in the Schengen Area:

Visa Information System (VIS)

The Visa Information System (VIS) is a central IT system that is linked through communication infrastructure to the national system. VIS is used to collect all information in regards to visa data, allowing the Schengen Countries to exchange their visa data effortlessly between each other.

The main purposes of VIS include:

• 1

  Regulating and facilitating checks and the issuance of visas

• 2

  Ensuring the safety of travelers

• 3

  Helping with asylum applications

• 4

  Enhancing security

• 5

  Fighting abuse (this includes overstays, irregular migrants, and so on)

Schengen Information System (SIS)

The Schengen Information System is a large-scale information system that enables Schengen member states to support external border control and law enforcement through the cooperation between countries. It is the most widely used information sharing system for security and border management in Europe.

The SIS is put in place to make Europe safer. Authorities can maintain security in the absence of internal border inspections using SIS in three key areas of cooperation:

• 1

  Border Control Cooperation

• 2

  Law Enforcement Cooperation

• 3

  Cooperation On Vehicle Registration

Each of these areas play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the EU and Schengen Area. The SIS allows competent national authorities, such as police and border guards, to enter and consult alerts on people or objects.

European Dactyloscopy (EURODAC)

EURODAC is the European Union's first asylum fingerprint database. It was founded in 2003 and is essentially a central system that collects all fingerprint data recorded by national systems in Schengen member nations. The system is designed to collect and store the fingerprints of every individual who asks for asylum in the EU.

One of the system's major accomplishments is that it allows member countries to compare fingerprints associated with criminal investigations sake of preventing, detecting, and investigating severe crimes and terrorism.

In conclusion, EURODAC is used to help prevent future crime or detecting current treats within the EU.

You can travel to any of the 27 Schengen Countries with your Schengen Visa. Remember that when applying, you'll need to have a sufficient reason for the purpose of your trip. Also, you'll need to include all the Schengen countries you plan to visit during your trip.

If you're planning a trip to one of the Schengen Countries, we recommend using AtlysBlack to apply for your Schengen Visa. When using Atlys, your visa application process is fast and simple. Atlys eliminates any concerns and frustrations you may encounter when applying for your Schengen Visa the traditional way.

If you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is equivalent to a visa. You may need a national visa to visit non-Schengen countries.

The Schengen treaty is named after the town in Luxembourg where it was originally signed by France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. This agreement marked a significant milestone in European integration and the establishment of a borderless Schengen Area.

The 5 EU countries not in Schengen are Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, and the United Kingdom (no longer an EU member). Ireland operates its own visa policy, while Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania will join the Schengen Area in the future. The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU and does not participate in the Schengen area agreement.

Yes, US citizens traveling to Europe in 2023 will require an electronic travel authorization called ETIAS. This authorization must be obtained before visiting any Schengen-zone country and includes over 60 other nations. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be mandatory for entry.

The Schengen area agreement is controversial due to concerns over security and the complete abolishment of borders among member countries. Introduced in the 1980s by France and Germany, the proposal faced initial controversy and fears regarding countries' security. However, it also promotes free movement between countries within the Schengen Area, facilitating travel and trade.

Despite Switzerland's non-membership in the European Union (EU), its central location in Europe fosters robust economic and social connections with numerous Schengen states. In addition to this, Switzerland, along with Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein—other non-EU nations within the Schengen Area—is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Switzerland officially joined the Schengen Area when it signed the agreement on October 26, 2004, and initiated its implementation on December 12, 2008.

The Shengen Agreement definition refers to a pivotal pact among European nations that has revolutionized travel within the continent. This agreement, signed in the village of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985, eliminated internal borders between participating countries, allowing for passport-free travel. This means that once you enter any Schengen Area country, you can move freely within the entire area without encountering border checks. It has simplified European travel significantly, making it more convenient for tourists and business travelers alike.

No, Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area. Ireland maintains its own separate visa and immigration policies and has opted out of joining the Schengen Agreement. Travelers entering Ireland should be aware that it operates under its own immigration regulations, distinct from those of the Schengen countries.

No, the United Kingdom (UK) is not part of the Schengen Area. The UK has chosen to maintain its own border and immigration controls separate from the Schengen Agreement. This means that when traveling to the UK, different visa and immigration requirements apply compared to the Schengen countries.

No, Scotland is not part of the Schengen Area as a separate entity. Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom (UK), which has opted out of the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, the UK's immigration and border control policies apply in Scotland, and it does not have independent Schengen membership.

Yes, Norway is a Schengen country. It is one of the non-European Union (EU) member states that participate in the Schengen Agreement, allowing for passport-free travel within the Schengen Area. Norway, along with other Schengen countries, has implemented common visa policies and border controls to facilitate ease of travel and trade within this region.

No, Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Area. While Cyprus is a member of the European Union (EU), it has not yet joined the Schengen Agreement. As a result, when visiting Cyprus, travelers should be aware that it operates under its own immigration and border control regulations, distinct from those of the Schengen countries.

Indeed, you can submit your Schengen visa application to one embassy or consulate and, upon approval, journey to another Schengen country. Typically, Schengen visas are granted with the primary destination or the initial Schengen nation you intend to visit in mind. After securing the visa, you have the freedom to move within the Schengen Area and explore other member nations, provided you comply with the visa's stipulations, such as the length of stay and the purpose of your visit.