Which European countries are not part of the Schengen area?

NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 06/01/2025

European geography can be tricky. For example, the European Union is a political and economic entity consisting of 27 countries — most of them within Europe. Then there’s the Schengen Zone — a union of dozens of countries created to allow for visa-free travel for millions of Europeans. And while the Schengen Zone includes most of the EU (and vice versa), they are not one and the same. And then, of course, there’s the rest of Europe too.

Confusing, right? Well, don’t panic. AXA’s simple guide below will help ensure you’re in the know — no matter where in Schengen or non-Schengen Europe you’re going.

• Which EU countries are not included in the Schengen Zone? 
• Is the U.K. part of the Schengen Area? 
• What are other non-Schengen countries?
• Are the European overseas territories part of the Schengen zone? 
• Which non-EU countries are included in the Schengen Zone?
• Why are some EU countries not in the Schengen Zone (and vice versa)? 
• What are the visa requirements for non-Schengen countries? 
• How can AXA help if I am traveling to a non-Schengen country?

Which EU countries are not in the Schengen Zone?

Most Schengen countries are physically located within mainland Europe. They include 25 of the 27 members of the EU — among them the more popular European travel destinations like France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands, for example.

The two EU member states that the Schengen Zone does not include are:

• Cyprus
• Ireland

Cyprus is actually an island divided into two parts: a Turkish and a Greek one. Neither are in the Schengen Zone. And while the European Union does consider the entire island part of its territory, EU laws (visa and other) only apply in the Greek Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus, not the Turkish one. Meanwhile, geographically speaking, Cyprus is actually closer to Asia and the Middle East than to Europe.

The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, is both geographically in Europe and economically in the EU. And yet, while it does play an active role in certain Schengen Agreement policies, it is not officially included in the Schengen Area either.

Both countries, therefore, enforce their own border controls (different from those of their Schengen and European neighbors) — and will thus likely require you to apply for their own travel visas to visit.

PRO-TIP: So make sure to check with their respective official government/embassy websites before booking your ticket.

How about the UK? Is it part of the Schengen area?

No. The U.K. has never been a member of the Schengen Agreement, having opted out of joining it in 1999 (more on that below). Furthermore, due to Brexit — as of January 31st, 2020, the U.K. is also no longer a member of the EU.

And while, policy-wise, the U.K. has always been associated with the Schengen in certain ways, it very much has its own travel and visa regulations. So if you plan to travel to England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and/or Wales, you can learn more about their specific visa regulations via the UK’s official Government website.

What are other non-Schengen countries?

The Schengen Zone includes over half the nations geographically located in mainland Europe. But Europe itself is home to nearly half a hundred countries — and so, of course, not every European state is by definition a Schengen state.

The majority of nations not included in the Schengen agreement are Eastern European states. While they are still generally associated with (and — for the most part — geographically within) Europe, their border checks have not yet been abolished. There are 11 of them, and they are:

• Albania
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Macedonia
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

Russia — while geographically spanning both Europe and Asia — is not a member of either the Schengen or the EU. It, therefore, imposes its own border controls and travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, the microstates of San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are also not official members of the Schengen Zone. However, these three are considered ‘de facto’ inside the area — and, therefore, do not impose border controls.

And the microstate of Andorra* — while located between two Schengen member states (i.e., France and Spain) — is neither in the EU nor a Schengen member, and therefore does impose its own border controls. But you can learn more about them via Andorra’s official tourism website.

*PRO-TIP: Despite these differences, AXA’s plans cover all the microstates above — including Andorra!

Are European overseas territories part of the Schengen zone?

Overseas European territories are not generally considered part of the Schengen Zone - but the rules vary depending on the territory and its country.

For example, the specific visa policies between the overseas territories of France (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, St Pierre and Miquelon, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Wallis and Futuna Islands and Saint Martin) and the Netherlands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten) are subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned. 

Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal's territories — such as the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira — are part of the Schengen Area and follow Schengen visa rules.

And, finally, Greenland and the Faroe Islands (constituent countries of Denmark) and Svalbard (a Norwegian archipelago) are technically not part of the Schengen. However, they have unique visa and entry policies that often align with their respective mainland countries.

PRO-TIP: For detailed and specific visa requirements, make sure to check with the official government websites of the territories/countries you plan to visit — such as the French Government’s official visa page, the Netherlands’ official government website, and so on.

Which non-EU countries are part of the Schengen area?

There are also four non-EU countries that are members of the Schengen Zone. Three of them are within Europe itself, geographically speaking, one is not. They are:

• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Iceland

Why are some EU countries not in the Schengen Area (and vice versa)?

The answer naturally depends on the particular nation in question, as the history of the Schengen and the EU is a long and somewhat complicated one. But here’s the general idea.

In 1985, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the first official Schengen Agreement. The treaty was signed in Luxembourg near a town called Schengen (hence, the name), and it was aimed at generally abolishing internal border checks for these five countries.

Meanwhile, the European Union (as we know it today) was formed in 1993. And all five original Schengen countries — along with Italy — were original members of the EU too. However, the original Schengen treaties and the rules adopted under them operated independently from those of the EU for a number of years.

Then in 1999, the Amsterdam Treaty incorporated the Schengen Treaties into European Union law, unifying the Schengen and the EU on many levels. The only two EU states that opted out of the Schengen at the time were Ireland and the U.K. (as they remained physically outside the area). And in 2020, the U.K. would also opt out of the EU.

Today, the Schengen is an integral part of EU law. Moreover, all EU member states without an opt-out are legally obliged to join the Schengen Zone when they meet the necessary technical requirements.

Meanwhile, the non-EU countries of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland have been included in the Schengen area through special association agreements.

What are the visa requirements for non-Schengen countries?

Each non-Schengen country will have its own visa requirements, yet many will share the same basic principles. These include proving you have a valid passport, providing biometric data, a legitimate reason to visit, the means to support yourself during your stay, an itinerary, and valid travel or medical insurance.

However, while countries outside of the Schengen area generally impose border checks on travelers coming from the Schengen Zone, many of them have visa-free travel arrangements as EU members (and/or countries that have signed visa-free travel agreements with the Schengen states).

So it’s always best to double-check the visa rules and regulations of the specific country (or countries) you plan to visit ahead of time.

How can AXA help if I am traveling to a non-Schengen country?

Fortunately, AXA’s Schengen Europe Travel insurance and Multi Trip annual insurance offer extended coverage within the entire Schengen Area and beyond. The countries covered by these two plans include:

• all Schengen Area member states;
• all 27 European Union member states;
• the U.K.;
• the microstates of San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City.

Meanwhile, AXA’s Low Cost option covers travel within the four microstates above, as well as all Schengen member states. And we’ll also provide you with the mandatory travel insurance certificate needed for a Schengen Visa — which you can download and/or print instantly.

In other words, whether you’re planning a Euro trip of epic proportions or just a quick stop in the EU and/or the Schengen — chances are AXA got you covered.

Related articles on Schengen

• What is a Schengen Visa?
• Do I need to apply for a Schengen Visa?
• The difference between Europe, the EU, the Schengen Zone, the Euro Zone, and the EEA

Can I travel to an EU country that is not within the Schengen Area on a Schengen Visa?

No. You must apply for a visa there and meet their visa requirements to enter a non-Schengen country.

Can I apply for a visa to a non-Schengen country in addition to my Schengen Visa

Yes. You can - although you must apply separately to the authorities in the non-Schengen country and check if you want to re-enter the Schengen Area that you have a multiple-entry visa.

What will happen if I enter a non-Schengen country on a Schengen Visa?

You will be refused entry if you do not provide the correct documentation to travel to that country - and may face further sanctions.