Schengen Countries List 2025: Everything You Need to Know

September 08, 2025

 

When planning a trip to Europe, one of the first things travelers look up is the Schengen countries list. The Schengen Agreement allows passport-free travel across many European nations, making it easier for tourists, students, and workers to move around. But which countries are Schengen states in 2025, and which are not? Let’s break it down clearly.

What Are the Schengen States?

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed internal border controls, meaning you can travel between them without needing a passport check. If you hold a valid Schengen visa, you can visit all Schengen states for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Schengen Countries List (2025)

As of 2025, the following countries are part of the Schengen Area:

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Croatia

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • Italy

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malta

  • Netherlands

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Bulgaria (partially applying Schengen rules, full integration expected soon)

  • Romania (partially applying Schengen rules, full integration expected soon)

That’s 29 countries in total, with Bulgaria and Romania on the path to full Schengen membership.

Non-Schengen Countries in Europe

Not every European country is part of Schengen. For example:

  • Ireland – EU member but not part of Schengen (it maintains its own border controls).

  • Cyprus – EU member but not yet in Schengen.

  • United Kingdom – Left the EU and is not in Schengen.

  • Other microstates (e.g., Andorra, Monaco, San Marino) are not formal members but have open borders with Schengen neighbors.

Upcoming Schengen Country List 2025

Travelers often ask: Which countries are joining Schengen soon?

  • Bulgaria and Romania are expected to fully apply the Schengen acquis (rules) in the near future.

  • Cyprus has expressed the goal of joining, but no confirmed date has been set.

This means that by the coming years, the Schengen map will expand further.

Common Questions About Schengen Countries

  • Is Ireland a Schengen state?
    No. Ireland is part of the EU but not Schengen. Travelers need separate visas.

  • Is Croatia a Schengen state?
    Yes. Since January 2023, Croatia has fully joined the Schengen Area.

  • Is Switzerland a Schengen state?
    Yes. Switzerland is not in the EU but is a Schengen member.

  • What is the Schengen visa?
    A visa that allows travel within all Schengen states for up to 90 days in 180 days.

Map of Schengen States

A map of Schengen countries is one of the best ways to visualize where your Schengen visa is valid. Most of continental Europe is covered, with the exception of Ireland, Cyprus, and a few others.

map of schengen states

Image from wikipedia.org

  • Schengen Area (EU)
  • Schengen Area (non-EU)
  • Working to implement later (EU)
  • Common Travel Area
  • De facto Schengen participation


Understanding the Schengen countries visa list is essential for anyone planning to travel to Europe in 2025. With one visa, you can explore almost all of Europe seamlessly—from France and Germany to Spain and Switzerland. Keep in mind the upcoming expansions, especially Bulgaria and Romania, which are expected to strengthen the freedom of movement even more.

Always check the official consulate or embassy website before applying, since visa rules can change.