A Schengen visa is a document that allows holders to move between borders within the Schengen area – without passing through border control! The Schengen area spans 26 European countries (see list below) and is the world’s largest free-travel zone. This means that if you have a Schengen visa you can legally pass through multiple European countries with only one visa document.
Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa?
Schengen visas only apply to people in Schengen member countries, and if you’re travelling from non-Schengen territories you will still have to pass through border control. However, you don’t have to be a citizen of the European Union to benefit from this incredible opportunity.
Non-EU nationals visiting the EU as tourists or living within the EU can also apply. Essentially, anyone who is currently legally in the EU should successfully be granted a Schengen visa. For this reason the Schengen visa is the most commonly used visa in Europe.
The short stay visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day window, regardless of whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a national visa specific to the European country instead.
You can get a Schengen visa issued from any country that has signed the Schengen agreement.
Which Countries are part of the Schengen Area?
While the Schengen area includes most European Union countries but Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Romania have not yet joined the zone. That being said, Bulgaria as well as Croatia and Romania have begun the process of changing this.
There are also four non-EU countries which are part of the Schengen area, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Schengen area includes the following 26 countries or Shengen states:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
