There are 26 European countries covered by it Schengen area. These are the so-called Schengen countries. As a resident of the European Union (EU), you can travel freely within these countries. Persons are checked at the external borders of the Schengen area.
If you are an EU citizen, you do not need to show your identity card or passport when traveling from one Schengen country to another. Only border controls have been abolished within the Schengen zone. It is therefore advisable to always carry an identity document with you, so that you can prove who you are if necessary (if the police ask you to do so, if you take the plane, etc.). After all, each Schengen country may lay down national rules that oblige everyone to always carry an identity document on its territory.
A driver's license, bank card or similar is not accepted as a valid travel document or proof of identity.
Schengen countries list
These are the Schengen countries:
- Belgium;
- Denmark;
- Germany;
- Estonia;
- Finland;
- France;
- Greece;
- Hungary;
- Italy;
- Latvia;
- Liechtenstein;
- Lithuania;
- Luxembourg;
- Malt;
- The Netherlands;
- Norway;
- Austria;
- Pollen;
- Portugal;
- Slovenia;
- Slovakia;
- Spain;
- Czech Republic;
- Iceland;
- Sweden;
- Switzerland.
Which EU countries are not Schengen countries?
These EU countries are not part of the Schengen area:
- Bulgaria;
- Cyprus;
- Ireland;
- Croatia;
- Romania.
Which non-EU countries are Schengen countries?
These countries are not part of the EU, but are part of the Schengen area:
- Liechtenstein;
- Iceland;
- Norway;
- Switzerland.
Which countries have the euro?
You can pay with the euro in 19 EU countries. Some mini-states and overseas territories also have the euro as legal tender. The following countries have the euro as legal tender:
- Andorra;
- Belgium;
- Cyprus;
- Germany;
- Estonia;
- Finland;
- France;
- Greece;
- Ireland;
- Italy;
- Latvia;
- Lithuania;
- Luxembourg;
- Malt;
- Monaco;
- The Netherlands;
- Austria;
- Portugal;
- San Marino;
- Slovenia;
- Slovakia;
- Spain;
- Vatican CITY.
Montenegro and Kosovo
In Montenegro and Kosovo, the euro is not legal tender. But you can pay there with euros.
Overseas Territories with Euro
In these overseas territories you can pay with the euro:
- the Spanish Canary Islands;
- the Portuguese overseas territories of Madeira and the Azores;
- the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion;
- the French overseas territories of Mayotte and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon;
- the French Southern and Antarctic regions.
Travel in the European Union for EU citizens
All EU citizens are allowed to travel freely throughout the EU. This means that only a valid passport or identity card is required to travel to other EU countries. In addition, every EU citizen has extra rights and options compared to tourists and travelers from non-EU countries. For example, EU citizens may also temporarily live in another Member State.
Residents of the EU also have certain options and guarantees for (among other things) private purchases and transactions, and they have extra rights for necessary medical care. Furthermore, EU residents can go to any European embassy anywhere in the world.
Travel in the European Union for non-EU citizens
If you do not have the nationality of an EU country and you want to visit the EU or travel within the EU, you need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after you leave the EU and has been issued in the past 10 years . In some cases you also need a visa. You can one Apply for a short-stay Schengen visa at the consulate or embassy of the country you want to visit. With a visa from a country in the Schengen area, you can automatically travel to other Schengen countries. A valid residence permit for one of those Schengen countries is equivalent to a visa. You may need an additional visa to visit an EU country that does not participate in Schengen.
Customs may ask for other documents, such as an invitation, proof of accommodation or an onward or return ticket. To be sure, contact the consulate of the relevant EU country.
Have citizens of certain countries no visa required if they come to the EU for a maximum of three months. The list of countries whose nationals require a visa to travel to Ireland differs slightly from the list that applies to other EU countries.
