The Schengen Agreement signifies a zone where the European nations acknowledged the abolishment of their internal borders with other member nations allowing the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods and services within common rules. The Schengen visa is a short stay visa allowing its holder to travel within the 26 countries (“Schengen States”) without border controls between each other.
The countries are:
Austria | Finland | Hungary | Liechtenstein | Netherlands | Slovakia |
Belgium | France | Iceland | Lithuania | Norway | Slovenia |
Czech Republic | Germany | Italy | Luxembourg | Poland | Sweden |
Denmark | Greece | Latvia | Malta | Portugal | Spain |
Estonia |
Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islandsare special members of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area, despite the fact that they are located outside the European continent.
Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican Cityhave opened their borders with but are not members of the Schengen Area.
Cyprus, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ireland and the United Kingdomare European Union members, that have not yet joined Schengen Area that are required to and are opting to join soon.
With A Schengen visa the holder is entitled the following:
– Tranvel or stay for a period not exciding 90 days in any 180 days period (“short stay visa”),
– transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States (“airport transit visa”).