GlobLeo Insight - What is Schengen Area?

GlobLeo Insight – What is Schengen Area?

February 21, 2025

Key Features

Free movement without border checks between member countries
Harmonized external border controls
Common visa policy for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period)
Enhanced police and judicial cooperation

List of Schengen Countries

As of January 1, 2025, the Schengen Area comprises 29 countries that allow passport-free movement across their borders. Here is the complete list of Schengen countries:

S.No.	Schengen Countries
1	Austria
2	Belgium
3	Bulgaria
4	Croatia
5	Czech Republic
6	Denmark
7	Estonia
8	Finland
9	France
10	Germany
11	Greece
12	Hungary
13	Iceland
14	Italy
15	Latvia
16	Liechtenstein
17	Lithuania
18	Luxembourg
19	Malta
20	Netherlands
21	Norway
22	Poland
23	Portugal
24	Romania
25	Slovakia
26	Slovenia
27	Spain
28	Sweden
29	Switzerland

Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, following the removal of land border controls. Croatia joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023.

Non-Schengen EU Countries

Cyprus and Ireland are EU members but not part of the Schengen Area.

Impact on Travel and Trade

The Schengen Area has significantly boosted tourism in Europe by simplifying travel and enhancing accessibility across member countries. Here’s how it impacts tourism:

Free movement:
The Schengen Agreement allows over 450 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls. This ease of movement encourages more frequent and spontaneous travel within Europe.
Increased tourism:
The common visa policy has led to a rise in tourism, strengthening the regional economy. Tourists can visit multiple Schengen countries on a single visa, making European travel more attractive and convenient.
Economic benefits:
Europeans make an estimated 1.25 billion journeys within the Schengen area annually, greatly benefiting the tourism and cultural sectors. The free movement stimulates tourism, cultural exchanges, and financial investments.
Non-EU travelers:
The Schengen Area benefits non-EU nationals as well. Tourists, exchange students, and business travelers can move freely across Schengen countries once they’ve entered the area. This encourages visitors to explore multiple European destinations during a single trip.
Spending across borders:
Non-EU tourists are likely to spend money in multiple European countries due to the ease of cross-border travel. This distribution of tourism revenue benefits various Schengen member states.
Simplified planning:
The unified visa system for the Schengen Zone allows travelers to apply for a single visa that grants access to multiple countries, simplifying trip planning and encouraging more extensive European tours.

By removing internal border checks and implementing a common visa policy, the Schengen Area has made European travel more accessible, diverse, and appealing to both EU and non-EU tourists, significantly impacting the tourism industry across the continent.

Schengen Visa

A Schengen visa is a short-stay entry permit that allows non-EU nationals to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This visa is valid for tourism, business, or family visits across 29 European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders.

Key Features

Duration: Allows stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period3
Area of Validity: Generally valid for all 29 Schengen countries4
Types: Available as single-entry, multiple-entry, or airport transit visas3

Application Process

Apply at the consulate of your main destination country or the country of first entry
Submit application up to 6 months before and no later than 15 days before intended travel
Provide required documents, including:
- Valid passport (expiry at least 3 months after departure from Schengen area)
- Completed application form
- Passport-sized photo
- Medical insurance
- Supporting documents for trip purpose, finances, and accommodation

Costs and Fees

The visa fee is subject to change. As of 2025,

Standard visa fee: 90 EUR
Reduced fee for children aged 6-12: 45 EUR
Fee waivers available for certain categories (e.g., students, researchers)

Important Notes

Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry; additional documentation may be required at the border
Some nationalities may require an airport transit visa even for connecting flights
U.S. citizens and some other nationalities can travel visa-free in the Schengen area for up to 90 days

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