Last updated: 15 August 2026 · Reviewed by Małgorzata Zep, lawyer and travel industry specialist
There are 29 Schengen countries. One visa covers all of them, and once inside you cross internal borders without checks. This page lists every member state, when each joined, and the rules that apply across the whole zone.
List of Schengen Countries 2026: the Full Schengen Area Country List
A map of the Schengen zone shows one continuous area from Iceland to Greece, minus the gaps listed further down. The two most recent additions are Bulgaria and Romania, whose land borders opened on 1 January 2025.
| Country | Joined | Currency | EU member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Belgium | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Bulgaria | 2025 | Lev | Yes |
| Croatia | 2023 | Euro | Yes |
| Czech Republic | 2007 | Koruna | Yes |
| Denmark | 2001 | Krone | Yes |
| Estonia | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Finland | 2001 | Euro | Yes |
| France | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Germany | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Greece | 2000 | Euro | Yes |
| Hungary | 2007 | Forint | Yes |
| Iceland | 2001 | Króna | No |
| Italy | 1997 | Euro | Yes |
| Latvia | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Liechtenstein | 2011 | Swiss franc | No |
| Lithuania | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Luxembourg | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Malta | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Netherlands | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Norway | 2001 | Krone | No |
| Poland | 2007 | Złoty | Yes |
| Portugal | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Romania | 2025 | Leu | Yes |
| Slovakia | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Slovenia | 2007 | Euro | Yes |
| Spain | 1995 | Euro | Yes |
| Sweden | 2001 | Krona | Yes |
| Switzerland | 2008 | Swiss franc | No |
Non-Schengen Countries in Europe
Which European countries are not in the Schengen Area? These are the ones that catch out more itineraries than any other detail.
The following are in Europe but outside the Schengen zone:
- Ireland — an EU member that opted out. It runs its own visa system and has a Common Travel Area with the UK.
- The United Kingdom — left the EU and was never in Schengen. Separate visa rules apply.
- Cyprus — an EU member not yet in Schengen.
- The Western Balkans — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
- Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Türkiye, Georgia and Armenia.
⚠️ Crossing into any of these means leaving the Schengen Area. If your visa is single-entry, you cannot return on it. Plan for a multiple-entry visa if your route requires it.
Microstates and Special Cases
Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are not formal members but have open borders with their neighbours, and are treated as part of the zone in practice. Andorra is not in Schengen and has border checks, though it is reachable only through France or Spain.
One Visa, 29 Countries: How It Works
A Schengen visa issued by any member state is valid in all of them. Two rules govern its use:
The 90/180 rule. You may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the zone as a whole — not 90 days per country. The 180-day window is rolling, counted backwards from each day you are present.
The main destination rule. You apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. If nights are equal, you apply to the country you enter first. Applying to the wrong consulate is a common refusal ground and the €90 fee is not refunded.
Do You Need a Schengen Visa?
| If you hold a passport from | For a short stay you |
|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Need no visa — you have free movement |
| The US (Americans), UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and around 60 other visa-exempt countries | No visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From Q4 2026 an ETIAS authorisation is required (€20, valid 3 years) — an online form, not a visa |
| India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa, the Philippines and most other countries | Must apply for a Schengen visa before travelling |
What Applies in Every Schengen Country
- Visa fee — €90 adults, €45 children 6–11, free under 6. Not refunded if refused.
- Decision — 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 in individual cases.
- When to apply — up to 6 months before travel, no later than 15 days before departure.
- Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000, covering repatriation, valid in every Schengen state. A legal condition under Article 15 of the EU Visa Code.
⚠️ The insurance rule is the one most often failed: a policy valid only for your destination country is refused, because your visa permits travel across the whole zone. Our cover meets the requirement across all 29 countries and starts at €20 for 30 days — see Schengen visa medical insurance.
Entry Systems Changing in 2026
- EES — the Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026, recording entries and exits electronically with fingerprints and a facial image. Passport stamps are being phased out, and overstays are detected automatically.
- ETIAS — expected in Q4 2026, for visa-exempt nationalities only. €20, valid three years. It is not a visa and does not apply if you need a Schengen visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Schengen countries?
The 29 Schengen states are listed in the table above, from Austria and Belgium through to Sweden and Switzerland. Together they form a single travel zone with no internal border checks.
How many Schengen countries are there?
29, following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania whose land borders opened on 1 January 2025.
Which European countries are not in Schengen?
Ireland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), plus Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Türkiye, Georgia and Armenia.
Does one Schengen visa cover all 29 countries?
Yes. A visa issued by any member state is valid throughout the zone, subject to your 90-day allowance and the number of entries granted.
Are all Schengen countries in the EU?
No. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are in Schengen but not in the EU. Conversely Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not in Schengen.
Do all Schengen countries use the euro?
No. Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland use their own currencies.
Which country should I apply to?
The one where you will spend the most nights. If nights are equal, the country you enter first.
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all member states together.
Do I need insurance for every Schengen country?
Yes. Your policy must be valid in all Schengen states, not only your destination, with at least €30,000 medical cover including repatriation.
