Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, all located in Europe, but not all part of the European Union. Four of those 26 countries are indeed part of the Schengen agreement even if they’re not part of the European Union : Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Lichtenstein.

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List of the Schengen countries

  • 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
  • Switzerland
  • Even if they’re islands, Madeira, The Azores and the Canary Islands are also part of the Schengen zone. 
  • Vatican City, Monaco and San Marino are not part of the Schengen visa zone.
  • Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania should join the Schengen zone soon but are not part of it for now.
  • Some European countries are not part of the Schengen zone : Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,  Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and The United Kingdom. 

In The Complete Guide to a Schengen Visa, you can obtain additional information about the member countries of the Schengen zone.

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Member countries of the Schengen zone

Austria

Located in Central Europe, Austria is one of the richest countries in the world. It’s also a very rich travel destination thanks to its historical sites. Austria joined the Schengen zone in 1995.

  • Capital  : Vienna
  • Population : 8 793 370 residents

Each year, Austria delivers more than 300 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Austria?

Belgium

Located in Western Europe, Belgium is one of the five first countries that joined the Schengen zone during its creation in 1985. The country is often referred to as the European Union capital because of its political influence.

  • Capital : Brussels
  • Population : 11,46 million residents

Each year, Belgium delivers more than 200 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Belgium?

Czech Republic 

Located in Central Europe, Czech Republic was created in 1993 after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The country welcomes more and more travelers thanks to its beautiful capital and its amazing natural sites. It joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Prague
  • Population : 10,7 million residents

Each year, Czech Republic delivers more than 600 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to the Czech Republic ?

Denmark

Located south of Scandinavia, Denmark is bordered by Germany, Sweden and Norway. Tourists love this destination for its Viking history and its beautiful cliffs. Denmark joined the Schengen zone in 1996.

  • Capital : Copenhagen
  • Population : 5,8 million residents

Each year, Denmark delivers more than 150 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Denmark ?

Estonia

Located in Northern Europe and bordered by the Baltic Sea, Estonia is one of Europe’s least crowded countries. Travelers like its thousands of islands and its long history. Estonia joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Tallinn
  • Population : 1,3 million residents

Each year, Estonia delivers more than 130 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Estonia ?

Finland

Located in Scandinavia and bordered by Sweden, Russia and Norway, Finland is one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world. It’s well known for its region called Lapland, where you can see the northern lights ! Finland joined the Schengen zone in 1996.

  • Capital : Helsinki
  • Population : 5,5 million residents

Each year, Finland delivers more than 800 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Finland ?

France

Located in Western Europe, France is the most visited country in Europe thanks to its food, its wine and its heritage sites. It is one of the five first countries that joined the Schengen zone during its creation in 1985.

  • Capital : Paris
  • Population : 67 million residents

Each year, France welcomes more than 80 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to France ?

Germany

Located in Western and Central Europe, Germany is the most populated country in Europe and the third most visited Schengen country after France and Spain. It is one of the five first countries that joined the Schengen zone during its creation in 1985.

  • Capital : Berlin
  • Population : 83 million residents

Each year, Germany welcomes between 30 and 40 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Germany ?

Greece

Located in Southern and Eastern Europe, Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic games, of democracy and of western literature. Each year, more and more tourists come to Greece for its historical cities and its beautiful beaches. Greece joined the Schengen zone in 1992.

  • Capital : Athens
  • Population : 10,7 million residents

Each year, Greece delivers more than one million visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Greece ?

Hungary

Located in Central Europe, Hungary is one of the main medical tourism destinations in Europe. But it’s also known for its beautiful capital and its amazing Balaton lake. The country joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Budapest
  • Population : 9,8 million residents

Each year, Hungary delivers more than 200 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Hungary ?

Iceland

Located in the North Atlantic, Iceland is one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights, watch whales and hike glaciers. It joined the Schengen zone in 1996.

  • Capital : Reykjavik
  • Population : 365 000 residents

Each year, Iceland welcomes more than 600 000 tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Iceland ?

Italy

Located in Southern Europe, Italy is bordered by the Mediterranean sea. The country welcomes a lot of tourists thanks to its historical cities and its beautiful landscapes. It joined the Schengen zone in 1990.

  • Capital : Rome
  • Population : 60 million residents

Each year, Italy delivers almost 2 million visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Italy ?

Latvia

Located in Northern Europe and bordered by the Baltic Sea, Latvia remains an unknown destination despite its cultural heritage and its beautiful capital named European capital of culture in 2014. The country joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Riga
  • Population : 2 million residents

Each year, Latvia welcomes around 3 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Latvia ?

Lichtenstein

Located in Central Europe, Lichtenstein is a micro-state of only 160 km2. It’s well known as a sports destination and its beautiful mountains where you can practice ski, snowboard, and trekking. The country joined the Schengen zone in 2011.

  • Capital : Vaduz
  • Population : 39 000 residents

Each year, Lichtenstein welcomes around 80 000 tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Lichtenstein ?

Lithuania

Located in Northern Europe and bordered by the Baltic Sea, Lithuania is the biggest of the three baltic countries. Travelers enjoy its long history and its lake and forest landscapes. Lithuania joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Vilnius
  • Population : 2,8 million residents

Each year, Lithuania delivers more than 400 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Lithuania ?

Luxembourg

Located in Western Europe, Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in the world. It’s famous for its numerous historical monuments like Grand Ducal Palace and Bourscheid Castle. Luxembourg is one of the five first countries that joined the Schengen zone during its creation in 1985.

  • Capital : Luxembourg
  • Population : 615 000 residents

Each year, Luxembourg welcomes almost one million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Luxembourg ?

Malta

Located in Southern Europe, Malta is a sunny archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its small surface, the country welcomes a lot of tourists thanks to its beautiful beaches and hiking spots. Malta joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Valletta
  • Population : 515 000 residents

Each year, Malta delivers almost 40 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Malta ?

Netherlands

Located in Western Europe, the Netherlands is home to one of the biggest ports in the world. It’s a renowned touristic destination for its tulip fields, its capital and its ancient windmills. The Netherlands is one of the five first countries that joined the Schengen zone during its creation in 1985.

  • Capital : Amsterdam
  • Population : 17 million residents

Each year, the Netherlands welcomes almost 20 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to the Netherlands ?

Norway

Located in Scandinavia and bordered by Finland, Russia and Denmark, Norway is one of the most visited countries in this area, thanks to its beautiful fjords, its Viking history and its steep mountains. Norway joined the Schengen zone in 1996.

  • Capital : Oslo
  • Population : 5,4 million residents

Each year, Norway delivers more than 200 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Norway ?

Poland

Located in Central Europe, Poland is a big country full of amazing landscapes. It’s one of the best places in Europe to hike and visit medieval sites. Poland joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Warsaw
  • Population : 38 million residents

Each year, Poland delivers more than 800 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Poland ?

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Portugal

Located in Western Europe, Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. It welcomes many tourists thanks to its sunny coast, its wine and its food. Portugal joined the Schengen zone in 1991.

  • Capital : Lisbon
  • Population : 10,5 million residents

Each year, Portugal welcomes more than 16 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Portugal ?

Slovakia

Located in Central Europe, Slovakia was created in 1993 after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. You’ll find here the world’s highest number of castles and chateaux per capita. Slovakia joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Bratislava
  • Population : 5,5 million residents

Each year, Slovakia welcomes more than 5 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Slovakia ?

Slovenia

Located in Central Europe, Slovenia is one of the smallest states of the Schengen zone. Most tourists come here to visit Triglav National Park, Lake Bled and the Postojna Cave. Slovenia joined the Schengen zone in 2003.

  • Capital : Ljubljana
  • Population : 2 million residents

Each year, Slovenia welcomes more than 4 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Slovenia ?

Spain

Located in Southern Europe, Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe. It’s well known for its sunny beaches and its vibrant cities like Madrid or Barcelona. Spain joined the Schengen zone in 1991.

  • Capital : Madrid
  • Population : 47 million residents

Each year, Spain welcomes more than 80 million tourists.

How to get a Schengen visa to Spain ?

Sweden

Located in Scandinavia and bordered by Finland and Norway, Sweden is mainly a land of forests and lakes. Visitors come here to visit its vibrant capital and enjoy the northern lights in Lapland. Sweden joined the Schengen zone in 1996.

  • Capital : Stockholm
  • Population : 10 million residents

Each year, Sweden delivers almost 300 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Sweden ?

Switzerland

Located in Western Europe, Switzerland is not part of the European Union. It’s home to one of the most powerful European economies and four national languages (French, Italian, German, and Romansh). Switzerland joined the Schengen zone in 2004.

  • Capital : Bern
  • Population : 8,5 million residents

Each year, Switzerland delivers more than 500 000 visas.

How to get a Schengen visa to Switzerland ?

Schengen visa application can be directly done online for any destination you choose to travel.

Schengen zone : what is it exactly ?

The Schengen zone is an area where all borders are abolished. This means all citizens of a state member are allowed to cross the borders freely. This also means that the conditions to enter one of the state members are the same for every country. A Schengen visa will thus allow you to visit any country that’s part of the Schengen agreement. If you are from India, you can find the application process at the Schengen visa application for Indian citizens.

Careful : even is the borders are free to cross, this doesn’t mean that there are no police controls.