NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 05/09/2024
If you’re planning a trip to Europe — and especially if you’ve already been — there’s a fair chance you’ve heard the term “Schengen.” Meanwhile, if you were fortunate enough to explore the lush countryside of Luxembourg, there’s even a chance that you’ve been to Schengen itself. Very much off the beaten path, the quaint little village of Schengen has a land mass of just over 30 square kilometers and is home to a little over 5,000 people. And Schengen the town is famous for its wine production, being the geographical point where the borders of France, Germany, and Luxembourg meet, and — well, changing the way we travel forever.
That’s because Schengen, Luxembourg was the cradle of what would grow to be known today as the Schengen Zone — an area of Europe (and beyond) covering over 4 million square kilometers and home to almost 420 million people. And while we hope you can discover the historical, game-changing commune of Schengen for yourself one day, AXA has all you need to know about the Schengen Zone below.
What is the Schengen Agreement?
Schengen the town first became part of world history on June 14, 1985. That’s when (and where) representatives of five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community — aka the EEC — would gather to sign a certain treaty.
These EEC members were Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The treaty they signed, meanwhile, was the Schengen Agreement (you know, because of the town and all). And it was intended to turn the five nations above into one common travel area by greatly reducing border checks between them.
On June 19, 1990, this initial agreement would be supplemented by what’s known as the Schengen Convention. And — signed by the same five nations — the Schengen Convention proposed to not just reduce but completely abolish separate internal border controls between them. It also aimed to introduce a common, unifying visa policy for said nations.
In 1993, the EEC would become the European Union (i.e., the EU), while the Schengen Convention would go into effect two years later in 1995 — thereby leading to the creation of what’s known as the Schengen Area (aka the Schengen Zone, or sometimes simply the Schengen). And dozens more European nations would opt to join the Schengen Agreement — and, therefore, the Schengen — since then.
As per the Schengen agreement, the Schengen Area — since 1995 and to this day — basically operates like a single state when it comes to international travel within its many borders. In other words, external border controls are still imposed on travelers entering and exiting the area. However, there are zero (or, rather, minimal) internal border controls for Schengen member state citizens — negating the need for a visa, for example.
PRO-TIP: If you’d like to delve even deeper into some legislative history — including stuff like the “Schengen acquis” — the European Union can tell you plenty more.
What countries are part of the Schengen Zone?
Since its humble inception three decades ago, the Schengen has grown to include a total of 29 countries (that is, as of mid-2024).
This includes 25 of the 27 members of the European Union*, namely:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria**
- Croatia
- The Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania**
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
As well as all four members of the European Free Trade Association (aka EFTA), which are:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
*The two EU countries not currently members of the Schengen Zone are Cyprus and Ireland.
**Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Romania both partially joined the Schengen Area in 2024 — that is, by removing controls on maritime and air borders. And AXA can tell you all you need to know about Bulgaria and Romania partially joining the Schengen too.
The Schengen Area also includes the Spanish overseas territories of the Canaries — i.e., Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa — and the Portuguese islands of Madeira and the Azores).
Meanwhile, the overseas territories of France (i.e., French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, St Pierre and Miquelon, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands) and the Netherlands (i.e., Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten) are subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned.
PRO-TIP 2: You can learn more about the visa requirements for visiting overseas French territories and the Netherlands' overseas territories here via those government’s respective official websites.
Is the U.K. part of the Schengen area?
No, the U.K. never signed the Schengen Agreement. And ever since Brexit went into effect on January 31st, 2020, the U.K. is also no longer a member of the EU.
What are other European non-Schengen countries?
The majority of nations geographically within Europe but not yet included in the Schengen agreement are the (mostly) Eastern European states of:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Meanwhile, the European microstates of San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are also not official members of the Schengen Zone. However, these three nations are considered ‘de facto’ inside the area — and, therefore, do not impose border controls.
And Russia — while geographically part of Europe — is not a member of either the Schengen or the EU. It, therefore, imposes its own border controls and travel restrictions.
PRO-TIPS 3 and 4: AXA can tell you more about European non-Schengen countries in general, as well as — in detail — the key differences between Europe, the EU, the Schengen Zone, the Euro Zone, and the European Economic Area.
Do I need a visa to travel to a Schengen country?
Now, when it comes to a visa — that is, a Schengen Visa — whether you need one or not will depend on a number of factors.
Generally speaking, if you’re not a citizen of the current Schengen Zone, chances are you do. However, there are a few exceptions.
Who doesn’t need a Schengen visa (for stays of less than 90 days)?
For example, citizens of all 27 countries in the European Union don’t need a visa to travel to or within the Schengen Zone. That is, so long as your stay in the Schengen area does not exceed 90 days per any 180-day period.
You also don’t need a Schengen visa if you’re a national of a non-EU country (and/or territory) that has signed a visa exemption agreement with the EU (again, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period). This includes countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Taiwan, the U.K., and the U.S., and roughly 50 more.
NOTE: The European Commission generously provides full lists of countries that both have and have not signed such an agreement.
So if you’re a passport holder from one or any of the countries above, all you’ll generally need to enter any of the 29 Schengen countries is your itinerary and your biometric passport (IMPORTANT NOTE: So long as the latter was issued no more than 10 years prior to and valid for at least 90 days after your planned date of departure).
Who needs a Schengen visa?
Meanwhile, citizens of any African nation, most Asian and Middle Eastern ones, China, India, Russia, and nearly a hundred more — in other words, countries that have not signed a visa waiver agreement with the EU — do need to apply for a Schengen visa.
But don’t worry — AXA can also gladly tell you more about who does need a Schengen visa and who doesn’t need a Schengen visa.
PRO TIP 5: Since EU legislation is ever-changing, AXA also recommends that you always double-check with the proper channels — i.e., the official European Commission, etc. websites above, as well as those of your home country and the Schengen state you wish to visit — to make sure you have the latest info.
How do I get a visa to travel to a Schengen country?
Now that you have a general idea of what’s what, you hopefully have a better understanding as to whether you need that Schengen visa or not too. And if you do — you’re in luck. Because helping people apply for a visa for the Schengen Zone actually happens to be one of AXA’s many areas of expertise!
Here they are in alphabetical order:
AXA can also help you figure out which type of Schengen visa suits your needs best.
We can also show you how to fill out a Schengen visa form. And about Schengen visa tracking online, Schengen visa validity, and even Schengen visa extension if you need. You’re welcome.
How can AXA help me get to the Schengen Zone?
And perhaps the best way that AXA can help you get to and safely explore any part of the Schengen Zone is by doing what we do best. And that is — providing you and your loved ones with top-quality, affordable, and comprehensive Schengen travel insurance.
Travel insurance happens to be one of the mandatory Schengen visa requirements, for example. And all three AXA plans — Low-Cost, Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip — meet the necessary requirements for being granted one. Oh, and if your Schengen visa is denied, AXA’s plans are refundable in most cases. We’ll only ask that you provide the appropriate documentation — that is an official explanation as to why your visa was refused (from the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center).
But even if you don’t need that Schengen visa, travel insurance is always a good call when going to a new place.
So learn more about and compare our 3 comprehensive plans to see how — with the right AXA plan — your trip is sure to be that much smoother, safer, and worry-free. And that’s whether it be to Schengen, Luxembourg, or any other part of the 4 million+ square km of the Schengen Zone!
RELATED ARTICLES:
FAQ
Can I get a Schengen Visa online?
Not as of mid-2024. Although the European Union does plan to fully digitize the process at some point. And AXA can tell you more.
How long does it take to process a Schengen visa?
In general, the wait time is at least 15 days. However, in some cases, embassies can take between a month or two to process a visa. It will depend on your particular situation.
Do I need EES/ ETIAS for the Schengen Zone?
Also not as of mid-2024. According to official sources, the European Union’s new travel authorization systems — i.e., EES and ETIAS (which AXA can tell you all about) — are only set to go into effect in late 2024 and mid-2025, respectively
