Schengen Area
Schengen Area 2025: Border-Free Travel Across 29 Nations
The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport control at their internal borders, enabling free and unrestricted movement of people within the region. First established in 1985 with the signing of the Schengen Agreement, its main purpose was to promote economic integration and facilitate easier travel by removing border checks. Today, it has become one of the most important achievements of European cooperation and unity.
The Schengen Area covers a wide group of nations, including 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, and since January 2023, Croatia. In March 2024, Romania and Bulgaria also joined Schengen, though currently only for air and sea borders, with land border checks expected to be lifted in the future. Ireland, however, remains outside the Schengen Area due to its permanent opt-out. These countries coordinate closely on visa policies and border security measures, creating a unified space where travelers can move freely.
Additional Information About The schengen
Beyond the removal of border controls, the Schengen Area has a common visa policy, allowing visitors to travel for up to 90 days within a 180-day period across all member countries with a single visa. To maintain security, the Schengen Information System (SIS) enables member states to share alerts about wanted or missing persons, stolen property, and security threats. Importantly, while internal borders are open, countries may temporarily reintroduce border checks in exceptional cases, such as during major events, migration challenges, or health emergencies.
The Schengen framework also includes non-EU members such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, reflecting its role beyond the European Union. Covering more than 420 million people, the Schengen Area has become a cornerstone of European travel, economic integration, and international cooperation. Looking ahead, Cyprus is expected to join in the near future, further expanding this vital area of free movement.