What are Schengen countries and which countries are covered by the Schengen treaty?
There are 27 so-called Schengen countries in Europe, the Netherlands is also part of them. It concerns 22 countries of the European Union and four non-member states. These countries have agreed in an agreement that they will abolish checks on persons at their common borders. Also known as free movement of people and goods. We call the countries that have signed up to this treaty the Schengen countries.
In addition to the free movement of persons and goods, the participating countries have also made joint agreements on visa policy, asylum policy and cooperation between the police and the judicial authorities.
Where does the name Schengen countries come from?
The name Schengen countries, stems from the genesis of the original treaty. This treaty was concluded in 1985 in the Luxembourg city of Schengen between Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and was given the name: the Schengen treaty. Under this treaty, citizens of the participating countries can travel freely within the Schengen zone.
27 Schengen countries
| Belgium | Denmark | Germany |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Greece | Hungary | Italy |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | Malta | The Netherlands |
| Norway | Austria | Poland |
| Portugal | Slovenia | Slovakia |
| Spain | Czech Republic | Iceland |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Croatia |
The EU and the Schengen area
Four countries that are not members of the European Union are part of the Schengen area. These are Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
In addition, a special arrangement applies to a number of countries. These are Ireland and the United Kingdom. These countries are not formally part of the Schengen area, but they have the option, if they wish, to participate in all or part of the provisions of the Schengen Agreement. Denmark also has a separate status. The country may decide for itself whether or not to apply new rules with regard to the Schengen area.
An EU member state but not a Schengen country
Of the EU countries, Romania and Bulgaria are not yet part of the Schengen countries. The treaty has not yet entered into force for Cyprus.
Regulating free movement
Various database systems are operational to regulate free movement between the Schengen countries. The Schengen Member States exchange information about crime, terrorism and illegal migration via the Schengen Information System (SIS). The entry-exit system (EES), which will start in 2020, will register and share data of people who have stayed (illegally) in the Schengen area for too long.
The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) , which will be introduced in 2023, will ensure that travelers from third countries who are exempt from the visa requirement must first request permission online before they can travel to the Schengen area.
