Is the Schengen visa a visa for the European Union?

You want to apply for an EU visa or a Schengen visa and wonder which European countries you can travel to with it? In practice, the terms “EU visa” and “Schengen visa” are often used interchangeably, but upon closer examination, the Schengen visa is not a visa for the entire European Union. We will clarify this!

What is the difference between Schengen and the EU?

The European Union and the Schengen Area are, in short, two different concepts that need to be clearly separated. The EU is a political and economic union of currently 27 member states (the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020). The Schengen Area, on the other hand, is a group of 27 participating countries that allows for free movement of people. EU countries are not automatically Schengen countries. The entry requirements for the Schengen Area are regulated by the European Parliament in the EU visa regulation. Therefore, the EU visa regulation specifies which nationalities can enter visa-free and which require a visa.

What is the Schengen Agreement?

The Schengen Agreement was first signed in 1985 by five EU member states to abolish border controls at internal borders. To date, 27 countries have joined the Schengen Agreement. This includes 23 EU states and 4 EFTA countries (see the list below). As a result, not all EU member states are part of the Schengen Agreement. In these 27 Schengen countries, third-country nationals with an EU visa (Schengen visa) can move freely and are only checked when crossing the external border.

What is the European Union?

The European Union currently consists of 27 member states. The EU countries Bulgaria, Ireland, Romania, and Cyprus are EU member states but are not – or not yet – part of the Schengen Area. The former EU member the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020 due to Brexit, but it also never belonged to the Schengen Area. Unlike third-country nationals, EU citizens with the right to free movement can travel within the EU, regardless of whether the country is part of the Schengen Area. When EU citizens travel to Bulgaria, Ireland, Romania, or Cyprus, they only need to present a valid travel document (ID card or passport).

Which European countries can I travel to with an EU visa?

If you are a third-country national holding an EU visa (Schengen visa), you can travel to other European countries. The same applies to holders of the national visa category "D" (D-visa) for long-term stays over three months. However, always make sure that the country where you applied for the visa must be your main destination.

Within the following 27 Schengen countries, you can travel without any issues with your EU visa:

Which countries in Europe can I not travel to with an EU visa?

As a third-country national, you cannot automatically travel to all EU member states with an EU visa. The following countries are EU member states, but not part of the Schengen Area, or not yet part of it. For these countries, a separate visa may be required. Please also consult the authorities of these countries for further information.

Important to know: Please note that a flight from one of these countries to a Schengen state is considered a third-country flight and subject to border controls. This aspect is important for your EU visa application, as it will determine whether you need a visa for multiple entries.

• Bulgaria (EU state, but not Schengen state): Bulgaria decided on 31.01.2012 to allow holders of valid EU visas (Schengen visas of categories C and A as well as national visas of category D) to enter visa-free.
   
• Ireland (EU state, but not Schengen state): A separate Ireland visa is required in certain cases.
   
• Romania (EU state, but not Schengen state): Holders of a valid two- or multiple-entry Schengen visa or a residence permit in the Schengen states can travel to Romania without a visa according to the Romanian embassy. ● Cyprus (EU state, but not Schengen state): A separate visa for Cyprus may be required depending on the case.
   
• Special case United Kingdom (not an EU state, not a Schengen state): The UK left the European Union in 2020 due to Brexit, but it also never belonged to the Schengen Area. A separate visa is required in most cases.

In short: If you want to travel to a Schengen state and additionally to the UK or Ireland, you will often need two visas. This can depend on your nationality. If you want to travel to a Schengen state and to Cyprus or Romania, you may also need two visas. Therefore, make sure to inform yourself thoroughly about the visa procedure of each country at the respective authorities.

Who needs an EU visa?

EU citizens and citizens of the EFTA countries Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway can move freely within the EU zone, whether or not an EU country is part of the Schengen Area. Non-EU citizens must apply for an EU visa depending on their nationality. What matters is whether the respective country has entered into an agreement with the Schengen countries on visa liberalization. For example, US citizens benefit from visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, but citizens of Turkey, China, and Russia do not. Citizens of countries that have concluded a visa liberalization agreement do not need an EU visa for short stays of up to 90 days. All other third-country nationals must apply for a visa before entering the Schengen Area. All details are regulated in the EU visa regulation.

How can AXA assist with an EU visa?

The Europe-Travel travel insurance from AXA offers extended coverage, no matter where you are traveling in the Schengen Area or the EU region. The insured countries include all Schengen countries and all EU countries (including Ireland, Bulgaria, and Romania) as well as the microstates San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City. AXA's travel insurance for European trips also provides the mandatory insurance certificate required for a Schengen visa.

These articles may also interest you

• Who needs a Schengen visa?
• What different types of Schengen visas are there?
• What documents do I need for the Schengen visa application?
• How long is a Schengen visa valid?
• Which countries are most likely to approve your Schengen visa application?
• How can I extend a Schengen visa?
• What happens if I exceed the 90 days limit on a Schengen visa?
• Schengen visa refused: What can I do and how can I prevent it?
• EU Visa Regulation 2020: What’s new with the Schengen visa?
• ETIAS or Schengen Visa?

FAQ on the EU Visa

Can I travel to another country with a Schengen visa?

With a Schengen visa, you can travel freely to all 27 countries in the Schengen Area.

Can I work with a Schengen visa?

With a Schengen Type C visa, you are not allowed to work (including internships). If you need a visa with work authorization, you must apply for a national visa (Schengen Type D visa).

What is a D visa?

In addition to the Schengen visa (Type C) for short stays in the Schengen Area (90 days within 180 days), you can also apply for the national Type D visa for longer stays and for work over 90 days.