What is the Schengen Area?
3 minute read
What is the Schengen Area and how does it affect Americans traveling to Europe?
If you’ve ever traveled from one country to another within the European Union without going through a border check, you can thank the Schengen Agreement. This treaty allows citizens of many countries to pass easily between separate nations within the “Schengen Area.”
The Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, most (but not all) of which are EU members states.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
A very brief history
In 1985, the first five Schengen countries (France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) signed on to the Agreement (near Schengen in Luxembourg). These individual countries cooperated to abolish checks at their common borders. The Schengen Area was officially established in March 1995 with seven countries participating. Since then, more countries have signed the agreement and entered the Area. In 1999, the Agreement was incorporated into European Union Law.
How does the Schengen Area differ from the European Union?
The Schengen Area and the EU are two different entities. The EU serves as an economic and political union that determines trade, agriculture, and regional development relations between the participating countries.
The Schengen Area, on the other hand, allows people to move freely between the countries who have entered the Schengen Agreement. The EU consists of 27 member countries, while the Schengen Area includes 22 of those. In addition to the 22 EU countries, four non-EU countries are also members of the Schengen Area: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, as well as the microstates of Monaco, Vatican City, and San Marino.
Image courtesy of Pexels
What should I know before traveling to the Schengen Area?
- U.S. citizens can travel within and between Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
- Not all European countries are part of the Schengen Area, so be sure to check what other documentation you’ll need to visit non-Schengen countries within Europe.
- Most countries will accept the Euro, but that is not a rule. Do some research to find out whether the country you are traveling to accepts Euros or uses their own currency.
- Starting in 2023, Americans headed to Schengen Area countries will need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before traveling.
Image courtesy of Pexels
How long can I stay?
As a U.S. citizen, you can travel without a visa in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Starting in 2023, U.S. citizens will need to obtain authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area by registering with an online system called ETIAS. While each ETIAS authorization will be valid for three years, the same maximum 90-day stay will apply.
Image courtesy of Pexels
What countries does this include?
The Schengen Area currently consists of 26 countries, mostly in the European Union, 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, and Switzerland*.
Four non-EU countries are members of the Schengen Area - Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, as well as the microstates of Monaco, Vatican City, and San Marino.
By Melissa Horine
Melissa worked with InterExchange between 2016 and 2019, helping U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad. She traveled to Spain and Ghana before moving to Japan for three years. She now lives in the almost-foreign country of New York City.
Learn about life abroad
Read about the adventures others have had and get excited for yours.
