The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries with no border checks between them: you enter through one and move around all of them under the same rules. Your short stay (90 days in 180) is counted across all of them. ETIAS will be required in those 29 countries plus Cyprus.
Map of the Schengen Area and ETIAS
The countries
25 EU members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. 4 non-EU members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
All 29 Schengen countries and when they joined
The Schengen Area grew from 7 countries in 1995 to 29 today. The most recent members are Croatia (2023) and Romania and Bulgaria, which joined for air and sea travel in 2024 and fully on 1 January 2025.
| Country | Schengen since | EU member | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| France | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Germany | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Portugal | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Netherlands | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Belgium | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Luxembourg | 1995 | Yes | EUR |
| Italy | 1997 | Yes | EUR |
| Austria | 1997 | Yes | EUR |
| Greece | 2000 | Yes | EUR |
| Norway | 2001 | No | NOK |
| Iceland | 2001 | No | ISK |
| Denmark | 2001 | Yes | DKK |
| Sweden | 2001 | Yes | SEK |
| Finland | 2001 | Yes | EUR |
| Poland | 2007 | Yes | PLN |
| Malta | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Czech Republic | 2007 | Yes | CZK |
| Hungary | 2007 | Yes | HUF |
| Slovenia | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Slovakia | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Estonia | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Latvia | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Lithuania | 2007 | Yes | EUR |
| Switzerland | 2008 | No | CHF |
| Liechtenstein | 2011 | No | CHF |
| Croatia | 2023 | Yes | EUR |
| Romania | 2025 (air and sea from 2024) | Yes | RON |
| Bulgaria | 2025 (air and sea from 2024) | Yes | EUR |
Year in which each country started applying Schengen in full (no internal border checks). Cyprus is in the EU but does not fully apply Schengen yet; Ireland has an opt-out.
European countries that are not in Schengen
- In the EU but not (fully) in Schengen: Ireland and Cyprus.
- Neither EU nor Schengen: the United Kingdom, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Each has its own entry rules, and days spent there don't count towards your Schengen 90 days.
- Microstates with open borders: Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican have no checks with their neighbours; Andorra has customs checks. More on the microstates.
Who's not in
- Ireland: EU but not Schengen, and it won't use ETIAS.
- Cyprus: EU but not yet fully Schengen; it will require ETIAS and counts its 90 days separately.
- United Kingdom: neither EU nor Schengen; it has its own ETA.
- Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican: you enter through a neighboring Schengen country.
What it means for your trip
- You only go through passport control when entering and leaving the Schengen Area.
- Days add up across all countries: the 90/180 rule.
- Countries can temporarily reintroduce internal checks: always carry your passport.
Frequently asked questions
Are Schengen and the EU the same?
No. Some EU countries aren't in Schengen (Ireland, Cyprus) and some Schengen countries aren't in the EU (Switzerland, Norway…). Explained here.
Are Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen?
Yes. Since 1 January 2025 they fully apply Schengen, land borders included.
Can I move between Schengen countries without a passport?
There are no fixed checks, but always carry your passport: there can be spot checks, and hotels and airlines will ask for it.
How many countries are in Schengen?
29: 25 EU members plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Is the UK in Schengen?
No. The UK has never been part of Schengen. It has its own ETA.
Is Croatia in Schengen?
Yes, since 1 January 2023.
Is Turkey in Schengen?
No. Turkey is neither in the EU nor in Schengen, so days spent there don't count towards your 90 Schengen days.
Keep reading
Sources
This guide is independent and for information only. Rules can change: before you travel, always double-check on the official ETIAS website and with the authorities of the country you're visiting.