Are all the countries of the European Union part of the Schengen area? Are there European countries that do not belong to either the European Union or the Schengen area? These are common questions and it is crucial to be clear when planning a trip to Europe, as entry requirements vary considerably between countries. We understand that it is not always easy to identify which countries belong to the Schengen area, the European Union or both. Therefore, in this article, we want to definitively clarify this issue and explain which countries are not part of the Schengen area.
Why is it relevant to know which countries do not belong to the Schengen area?
It is essential to know which countries are part of the Schengen area and which are not, since the Schengen area requires certain specific requirements to access its territory. If you plan to travel through Europe, it is vital to know that countries in the Schengen area require a Schengen visa for entry. The advantage is that, if you plan to visit several countries in the Schengen area, you will only need to do this once. However, if the country you want to visit is not in the Schengen area, you will have to comply with its national immigration policies.
One of the main requirements to obtain a Schengen visa is to have specific travel insurance.
Basic concepts: European Union and Schengen area
What is the European Union?
The European Union is a political and economic association made up of 27 European countries. These are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden.
What is the Schengen area?
The Schengen area is an area of Europe comprising 29 countries that have agreed to eliminate internal border controls to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, services and capital.
Not all members of the European Union are part of the Schengen area. Here is the list of the 29 countries in the Schengen area:
- Germany
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- malt
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Sweden
- Swiss
Which countries in the European Union do not belong to the Schengen area?
Now that we have reviewed the two entities and the member countries of each, we can confirm that the two European Union countries that are not part of the Schengen area are:
- Cyprus
- Ireland
Therefore, if you travel to these countries, you should find out about their specific restrictions.
Countries that do not belong to the European Union but are in the Schengen area
There are countries that are not part of the European Union but are part of the Schengen area:
- Swiss
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Iceland
Other non-Schengen countries in Europe
In the eastern region of Europe, there are several countries that do not belong to either the European Union or the Schengen area:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- North Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Does the United Kingdom belong to the Schengen area?
The United Kingdom, after the Brexit referendum in 2016, no longer belongs to the European Union or the Schengen area. This has modified previous agreements on health and entry policies, making it essential to purchase travel medical insurance for the United Kingdom.
European microstates
There are European microstates with particular border policies:
- Vatican City
- Monaco
- San Marino
These states are not part of the Schengen area but do not apply border controls with the Schengen countries surrounding them.
Requirements to enter non-Schengen countries
Countries outside the Schengen area implement their own visa policies. These requirements usually include: a valid passport, biometric data, reason for travel, financial solvency, and travel medical insurance.
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