Guide to the Schengen Zone: What to Know About Europe’s “Borderless” Travel
Travelher’s Guide to the Schengen Zone: Exploring Europe's Borderless Countries
Table of Contents:
Introduction: The Freedom of Movement
Understanding the Schengen Agreement
Member Countries of the Schengen Zone
Benefits of the Schengen Zone
Traveling within the Schengen Area: What You Need to Know
Close-by Trips Out of the Schengen
Challenges and Criticisms
Conclusion: Embracing Borderless Travel
| Key Takeaways | Details |
|---|---|
| Schengen Zone Overview | The Schengen Zone, established through the Schengen Agreement of 1985, comprises European countries committed to opening internal borders, enabling passport-free travel, and harmonizing visa policies. |
| Benefits of Schengen Zone | For travelers, the Schengen Zone offers seamless exploration of Europe without border checks. Member countries benefit from increased tourism and economic activity. |
| Traveling within Schengen | Tourist-visa travelers within the Schengen Area must adhere to the 90/180 rule, limiting stays to 90 days within a 180-day period. Carrying a valid ID or passport is essential, despite passport-free travel. |
| Close-by Trips Out of Schengen | To extend stays within continental Europe beyond the 90-day limit, travelers can strategically plan trips outside the Schengen member countries to countries like the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, and other neighboring destinations (listed below). |
| Challenges and Criticisms | Despite its advantages, the Schengen Zone faces challenges such as concerns over border security and illegal immigration, leading to occasional reintroduction of border controls by member countries. |
Introduction: The Freedom of Movement
If you’ve ever wanted to spend more than 90 days in Europe, you may have come across information about the Schengen Zone and wondered, what is it? What does it mean? What countries are included?
In this quick guide, we’ll cover the important points about traveling in Europe through the Schengen Zone and what to know when spending more than 90 days in Europe.
Understanding the Schengen Agreement
At the heart of the Schengen Zone lies the Schengen Agreement, a landmark treaty signed in 1985 among European countries with the goal of abolishing internal borders and enabling passport-free travel. Named after the small Luxembourg village where it was signed, the Schengen Agreement laid the foundation for a borderless Europe.
Member Countries of the Schengen Zone
Today, the Schengen Zone comprises 26 European countries, including popular travel destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. These countries have mutually agreed to abolish passport controls at their internal borders and harmonize visa policies for non-EU nationals.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria*
Croatia*
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania*
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
* New members
Benefits of the Schengen Zone
The Schengen Zone offers benefits for both travelers and member countries. For travelers, it means unparalleled freedom to explore Europe without the hassle of multiple border checks. Whether you're backpacking through the Alps or sipping wine in the vineyards of Tuscany, the Schengen Zone makes travel more seamless and hassle-free.
Traveling within the Schengen Area: What You Need to Know
For travelers planning a trip to the Schengen Zone, there are a few key things to keep in mind. While passport-free travel is a hallmark of the Schengen Area, it's essential to carry a valid ID or passport, as spot checks may still occur. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the 90/180 rule, which limits stays within the Schengen Area to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Close-by Trips Out of the Schengen
If you’re wanting to travel for longer than 90 days in Europe, it's important to be mindful of the 90-day Schengen Zone limit within a 180-day period and plan your travels strategically. However, if you're seeking to extend your time in Europe beyond this 90 day limit, taking close-by trips out of the Schengen Zone can be an effective strategy.
Countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Turkey among others, are not members of the Schengen Zone and offer incredible, close-by travel experiences. These neighboring destinations allow you to press pause on the 90-day clock, giving you the opportunity to explore more of Europe without using up your days in the Schengen. Other nearby destination ideas include parts of Northern Africa, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia or Ukraine, conditions permitting. At the time of this writing, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine are listed at a Level 4: Do Not Travel list on the USA Department of State website.
Whether it's wandering through the historic streets of London, exploring the rugged landscapes of Scotland, or soaking up the sun along Croatia's Adriatic coast, venturing outside the Schengen Zone opens up a world of possibilities for extending your European adventure.
For example, let’s say you want to spend 6 months working remotely in Europe. There are multiple ways you can do this but depending how how often you want to travel, you could use the following route to spend a full 6 months in Europe without overstaying in the Schengen Zone:
For example:
Month 1-2: Schengen Zone
Month 3-4: Non-Schengen
Month 5: Schengen
Month 6: Non-Schengen
Month 1: Fly to your first Schengen country to start your 6 month journey and begin your 90 day Schengen timer. You could spend this month in Greece, working from the Greek Islands which is always a good time
Month 2: Next, continue your time in the Schengen. Stay around the Mediterranean, visit Paris, or check out another Schengen country of your choice.
Month 3-4: Make your way to non-Schengen countries that are still fairly accessible to Europe such as Cyprus and Turkey if you want to keep with the Mediterranean feel or head over to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Ireland for a different vibe. You can also visit: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia or Ukraine, conditions permitting. At the time of this writing, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine are listed at a Level 4: Do Not Travel list on the USA Department of State website.
Month 5: Head back to a Schengen country and enjoy your time exploring.
Month 6: Explore another non-Schengen country.
At the end of month 6, your 180 day period should be completed. This allows a reset of sorts depending on when the last period of time you were in the Schengen was. For example, if you spent 30 days in the Schengen in month 5, you now have 60 days available in months 7-10 available in the Schengen.
Challenges and Criticisms of “Borderless” Travel
Despite its many advantages, the Schengen Zone is not without its challenges and critiques. In recent years, growing concerns about border security and illegal immigration have led some member countries to temporarily reintroduce border controls.
Conclusion: Schengen Zone “Borderless” Travel
The Schengen Zone represents both benefits and challenges in European travel. By abolishing internal borders and fostering passport-free travel, the Schengen Agreement has altered the way we explore Europe.
If you’re planning a quick trip, it shouldn’t impact your journey but for those of us planning longer stays in Europe (over the 90 day threshold), alternate visas or strategic planning become a necessity due to the Schengen Agreement in these countries.