What is the Schengen area and how much water is there?

Referring to Europe, you will probably think of the European Union (EU) including 27 member states of Europe. In addition, other European countries also have Schengen, a name that you often hear recently accompanied by the content of stopping the visa for Schengen. So, what is the difference between Schengen and EU countries?

Things to know about the Schengen area

The Schengen Treaty is a treaty on freedom of movement signed by several European countries . The Schengen area is named after the small town of Schengen in Luxembourg, at the junction of the borders of France, Germany and Luxembourg, where it signed a treaty to abolish border control between five countries including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. In 1985, the citizens of these countries moved freely in the territory of five countries called the Schengen Region.

Up to now, there are 26 participating countries 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. Including 22 EU countries and 4 EFTA countries.

Countries that belong to the EU but not in the Schengen zone include Ireland, England, Romania and Bulgaria and there are 3 Schengen countries but not the EU including Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

European citizens do not need a visa to travel freely within the Schengen area. There are 39 other countries and territories exempted from visa when entering less than 90 days to Schengen area such as USA, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Kiwi, Japan. Citizens from the Schengen area need to apply for a Schengen visa, a Schengen short-stay visa that allows up to 90 days in a 180-day period.