The Schengen Area has 29 member states since 1 January 2025 (25 European Union members and 4 non-EU associate countries). A short-stay visa allows a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the entire zone. For nationals of third countries who require a visa, travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical and repatriation costs is a mandatory, non-negotiable condition when submitting a consular application.
The 29 Schengen Area member countries
Since 1 January 2025, when Romania and Bulgaria completed their full integration (land borders included), the zone has 29 member states.
The 25 EU members of the Schengen Area
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria (full integration: January 2025), Croatia (since January 2023), Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania (full integration: January 2025), Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden.
Worth noting: France is a Schengen member only for its metropolitan territory. Its overseas territories and departments (Reunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, etc.) are not part of the Schengen Area.
The 4 non-EU associate members of the Schengen Area
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
These four countries apply all Schengen rules in full without being members of the European Union. A Schengen visa is valid there under the same conditions as in EU member states.
The Schengen Area and the European Union: two distinct boundaries
These two zones do not fully overlap, and the confusion can have direct consequences for your entry rights or the validity of your visa.
Two EU members are not part of the Schengen Area:
- Ireland: chose not to join the Schengen Area (opt-out clause) and maintains its own border controls.
- Cyprus: an EU member since 2004, not yet integrated into the Schengen Area.
If your itinerary includes Ireland or Cyprus, check the specific entry requirements for those countries independently of your Schengen visa. Conversely, the four non-EU Schengen countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) accept your Schengen visa without any additional formalities.
Free movement: what it means in practice
Once inside the Schengen Area, you cross internal borders between all 29 members without systematic identity checks, regardless of your mode of transport (plane, train, car, ferry). Controls at external entry points to the zone remain strict and standardised.
The 90-day rule in any 180-day period
A Schengen short-stay visa (type C) allows a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the entire zone and not on a per-country basis. Two weeks in Italy and a month in Spain within the same half-year counts as 44 cumulative days against your total. Exceeding this limit can result in a ban from the Schengen Area.
For stays longer than 90 days, each member state sets its own conditions (long-stay type D visa, residence permit). Contact the consulate of the country where you will primarily reside for guidance.
What’s new at Schengen external borders in 2026
Two European systems are changing entry controls for third-country nationals. One is already in force; the other is on its way.
EES: operational since 10 April 2026
The EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It replaces the passport stamp with an automatic electronic record at every crossing of a Schengen external border.
What this means in practice for non-EU travellers:
- Travel document data, a facial image and fingerprints (for those aged 12 and over) are collected at each entry.
- No action is required on your part: registration is automatic at the border.
- The 90-day-in-180-day counter is now tracked electronically, with no risk of miscalculation or a missed stamp.
This system applies to third-country nationals (non-EU and non-Schengen) on short stays. Citizens of the EU, Schengen countries and certain states (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Holy See) are exempt.
ETIAS: travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers (expected late 2026)
The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Unlike the Schengen visa, it will apply to travellers currently exempt from visa requirements for the zone (US, Canadian, British and Australian nationals, among others). An online application, valid for three years, will be required before each trip to the Schengen Area.
One important point: the application portal is not yet open. Any website claiming to accept ETIAS applications before the official launch is fraudulent.
Who needs a Schengen visa?
Nationals of more than one hundred countries must obtain a Schengen visa before entering the zone. Citizens of the EU/EEA and those of many countries with free-movement agreements with the Schengen Area (Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, among others) are exempt for stays of under 90 days.
A Schengen visa must be applied for:
- at the consulate of your main destination (the country where you will spend the most time);
- at the consulate of your first country of entry if your itinerary covers multiple countries without a single predominant destination.
Travel insurance: a mandatory requirement for your Schengen visa
For any Schengen visa applicant, a compliant insurance certificate is mandatory. The criteria set by European regulations are non-negotiable:
- Medical cover of at least €30,000, including hospitalisation and emergency treatment
- Medical repatriation explicitly guaranteed
- Geographical validity covering all 29 Schengen countries
- Temporal validity matching the full duration of the stay stated on the visa
Without a compliant certificate, the visa application will be refused. One important caveat: bank card insurance (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, etc.) is generally not accepted by consulates, as it does not issue a standalone certificate explicitly stating the guaranteed amount of €30,000. Our analysis of bank card travel insurance and its real limitations covers these differences in detail.
To find a policy suited to your nationality, destination and visa type, read our complete guide to Schengen visa travel insurance.
FAQ
How many countries are in the Schengen Area in 2026?
The Schengen Area has 29 countries since 1 January 2025, when Romania and Bulgaria completed their full integration, including land borders. The list includes 25 European Union members and 4 non-EU associate countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
What is the maximum permitted stay with a Schengen visa?
A Schengen short-stay visa (type C) allows a maximum of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the entire Schengen Area and not on a per-country basis.
What insurance is required to obtain a Schengen visa?
Insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses (hospitalisation, emergency care) and medical repatriation, valid for the entire Schengen Area and for the full duration of the stay, is mandatory for any Schengen visa application.
Are Ireland and Cyprus part of the Schengen Area?
No. Ireland and Cyprus are European Union members but are not part of the Schengen Area. They apply their own entry rules, independently of the Schengen visa.
Is a Schengen visa valid in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein?
Yes. These four countries are part of the Schengen Area without being EU members. A Schengen visa is valid there under the same conditions as in EU member states.
Is my bank card insurance accepted for a Schengen visa application?
Generally, no. Bank card cover does not issue a standalone certificate in the consular format specifying the guaranteed amount of €30,000. A dedicated travel insurance policy with a named certificate is required for a complete visa application.
What is the EES system and how does it affect non-EU travellers?
Operational since 10 April 2026, the EES (Entry/Exit System) electronically records the entries and exits of third-country nationals at Schengen external borders. It replaces the passport stamp and automatically tracks compliance with the 90-day-in-180-day rule. No prior action is required: registration is automatic at the border.
Is ETIAS already required to visit the Schengen Area?
No. ETIAS is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. It will only apply to travellers currently exempt from a Schengen visa. The application portal is not yet open: any website accepting ETIAS applications before the official launch is fraudulent.
