List of Schengen countries

Schengen countries are a group of countries that have eliminated borders, enabling cross-border travel without any restrictions. Thus, travellers who possess a Schengen visa can freely move across any of the member countries without the need for a separate visa.

As of 2025, 29 Schengen countries fall under the Schengen area, including members and non-members of the European Union. The Schengen area is named after the village, ‘Schengen’, in Luxembourg, where the Schengen agreement was signed in 1985.

The first five nations to sign the Schengen agreement were Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Together, these countries abolished border controls and introduced a common area for travellers to move freely.

Also Read: Schengen Travel Documents

Austria	Liechtenstein	Belgium	Lithuania
Czech Republic	Luxembourg	Denmark	Malta
Estonia	Netherlands	Finland	Norway
France	Poland	Germany	Portugal
Greece	Slovakia	Hungary	Slovenia
Iceland	Spain	Italy	Sweden
Latvia	Switzerland	Croatia	Austria
Romania	Bulgaria

**Note**: Bulgaria and Romania are the two countries that recently became a part of the Schengen area on 1st January 2025.

Also Read: How to Apply for Schengen Visa in India

Austria

From fascinating cities and fairy tale villages to widespread Alpine mountain landscapes, Austria is a landlocked nation in central Europe. Considered one of the eco-friendliest countries in the world, Austria is famous for its enchanting castles, lavish palaces, grand museums, beautiful mountain ranges and skiing.

Capital city	Vienna
The Best time to visit	May to September
Official language	German

Belgium

One of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Europe, Belgium is known for its mediaeval town, rich culture, idyllic landscape and a wide variety of beers, waffles, and chocolates. The country has many iconic travel destinations making it popular among travellers.

Capital city	Brussels
The Best time to visit	April to June and September to October
Official languages	French, Dutch and German

Czech Republic

Ranked among the top safest countries to live in the world, the Czech Republic is a country of architecture. This landlocked nation also boasts of many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Thanks to its capital city, Prague, the Czech Republic is one of Europe's most sought-after tourist destinations.

Capital city	Prague
The Best time to visit	April to May and September to October
Official languages	Czech

Denmark

Although a small Scandinavian country, Denmark is blessed with stunning landscapes, grand castles, magnificent architecture and a pleasant climate. With various options like castles, islands, zoos and cathedrals to explore, visiting this country is no less than living a dream.

Capital city	Tallinn
The Best time to visit	May to August
Official languages	Estonian

Finland

Pristine, serene and breathtakingly beautiful, you can easily get blown away by the sheer beauty of Finland's natural landscape by enjoying the ethereal view of the Northern Lights and Midnight Suns. Moreover, the country also boasts an array of architectural marvels and fantastic shopping experiences.

Capital city	Helsinki
The Best time to visit	June to August
Official languages	Finnish and Swedish

France

One of the most-visited Schengen countries, France is also one of the oldest nations in the world. The country is home to vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, world-class cuisine, and rich culture. France is lovely and brims with myriad marvels. Every aspect of France is worth witnessing, from the iconic Eiffel Towers to Mont Saint-Michel and the Palace of Versailles to the fascinating countryside.

Capital city	Paris
The Best time to visit	April to October
Official languages	French

Also Read: Best Time to Visit France from India

Germany

Germany is one of the most historical and beautiful places on the planet. From the fairy-tale castles and mediaeval villages, this Schengen country has a gamut of museums, grand palaces and magnificent cathedrals.

Capital city	Berlin
The Best time to visit	May to September
Official languages	German

Greece

The next on the Schengen visa countries list is Greece. Greek tourism attracts numerous people every year around the globe. The country is famous for its romantic and pristine beaches, classy restaurants, vibrant shopping destinations, charming streets, and intriguing history.

Capital city	Athens
The Best time to visit	May to October
Official languages	Greek and Modern Greek

Hungary

Immerse in several quaint villages and towns, Hungary is home to some of the most alluring scenic landscapes and fascinating historical attractions. The beautiful city of lights, Budapest, is a fine blend of tradition and history with modern city life.

Capital city	Budapest
The Best time to visit	June to August
Official languages	Hungarian

Iceland
Also known as "The Land of Fire and Ice", Iceland offers a contrasting landscape, unlike other European countries. Famous for The Northern Lights, volcanoes, glaciers and Blue Lagoon, the history of Iceland is equally interesting as the Vikings settled it.

Capital city	Reykjavík
The Best time to visit	July and August
Official languages	Icelandic

Italy
Italy is famous for pizza, pasta, Colosseum, fashion and opera music, and has a lot more to offer its tourists. The country takes pride in its rich culture, historical heritage and ancient architectural monuments. Italy boasts one of the world's longest coastlines, and the cuisine sets itself apart on the world map.

Capital city	Rome
The Best time to visit	May, June, September and October
Official languages	Italian

Latvia

Latvia is a famous European tourist destination and is part of the Schengen countries list. The country has abundant natural beauty, serene beaches and extraordinary history. It also has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it an attractive tourist destination.

Capital city	Riga
The Best time to visit	April to September
Official languages	Latvian

Liechtenstein

The tiny country of Liechtenstein is one of Europe's most picturesque Alpine countries. This popular travel destination in the region is popular among adventurers for its exciting hiking trails and work-class ski and winter activities.

Capital city	Vaduz
The Best time to visit	September to October
Official languages	German

Lithuania

The largest Baltic state, Lithuania is considered an authentic country where the past, present, and future are closely tangled to create a gem. With its abundant Gothic architectural sights, unique gardens, beautiful lakes, and several museums, the country makes a positive impact from the first minute.

Capital city	Vilnius
The Best time to visit	September to April
Official languages	Lithuanian

Luxembourg

Luxembourg shares its borders with Belgium, France and Germany and is considered one of the best European destinations for a city break. This country's major attractions are the beautiful nature parks, quaint villages and charming towns.

Capital city	Luxembourg City
The Best time to visit	May to September
Official languages	Luxembourgish and French

Malta

Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean, is a country rich with history, exciting culture, mesmerising landscapes, expansive beaches, and vibrant nightlife. With so much to offer, this Schengen country caters to every type of traveller.

Capital city	Valletta
The Best time to visit	May to September
Official languages	Maltese and English

Netherlands

The Schengen country of the Netherlands offers an immersive and enriching tourism experience. The country showcases different auras and colours in different seasons. The country offers something to every traveller, from exquisite flowers blooming in the summer to white snow blankets in the winter and colourful spring.

Capital city	Amsterdam
The Best time to visit	June and September to November
Official languages	Dutch

Also Read: Netherlands Visa Requirements for Indians

Norway

Known as the “Land of Midnight Sun”, Norway is famous for the magical phenomenon of northern lights. Norway stays cold most of the time yet offers its travellers distinctive beauty and numerous activities.

Capital city	Oslo
The Best time to visit	June to August
Official languages	Norwegian

Poland

Poland is a delight for nature lovers. With around 23 national parks, Poland is a perfect destination for bonding with Mother Earth. Poland has made a special place on travellers' list with green mountains, long sea-coasts with wide sandy beaches, lakes, rivers and forests.

Capital city	Warsaw
The Best time to visit	May to June and October to September
Official languages	Polish

Portugal

Portugal has several cultural and historical sites to explore in the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Portugal has much to offer, from relaxing on its serene beaches to exploring its many historical spots to enjoying its lively nightlife.

Capital city	Lisbon
The Best time to visit	March to May
Official languages	Portuguese

Slovakia

Slovakia is another feather in the cap for Europe. This landlocked country welcomes its tourists with enchanting scenery, folk architecture, medieval castles and town and ski resorts. This incredibly beautiful country is straight out of the fairy tales.

Capital city	Bratislava
The Best time to visit	December to March
Official languages	Slovak

Slovenia

Slovenia offers its travellers distinct landscapes, thus making it one of the preferred Schengen countries to relax, explore and immerse oneself in its beauty. This stunning European country has captivating castles, fascinating museums, UNESCO heritage sites and alluring visuals in abundance.

Capital city	Ljubljana
The Best time to visit	September
Official languages	Slovenian

Spain

Spain symbolises geographical diversity. From sun-soaked shimmering beaches and lively and vibrant urban cities to picturesque snow-capped mountains and striking heritage sites, you must experience Spain at least once in a lifetime as a traveller.

Capital city	Madrid
The Best time to visit	March to May and September to November
Official languages	Spanish

Sweden

The offbeat European destination, Sweden promises a splendid combination of stunning cities, serene coastal towns and chilly landscapes. Not only is this country charming with its enchanting beauty, but it is also a must-visit destination for outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

Capital city	Stockholm
The Best time to visit	May and September
Official languages	Swedish

Switzerland

What can we say about Switzerland? It has been one of the most-loved tourist destinations for years, and you agree with it the moment you put your first foot on its land. The epitome of natural beauty, the fascinating train journey, the breathtaking suspension bridges, the captivating culture and the list to describe Switzerland is endless.

Capital city	Bern
The Best time to visit	June to August
Official languages	French, German, Romansh and Italian

Also Read: What is Switzerland Famous For?

Croatia

The latest to join the Schengen country list, Croatia is a mix of interesting destinations, beautiful towns, serene nature, exquisite aromas and experiences. Not just beautiful, Croatia offers multiple activities to indulge in for every travel enthusiast.

Capital city	Zagreb
The Best time to visit	May and June or September and October
Official languages	Croatian

Romania

It is the 12th largest country in Europe and the latest to join the Schengen countries list. Romania is a rich country with a rich history, a happy culture and a variety of landscapes. It is packed with some of the most beautiful sites in the world, making it worth the visit.

Capital city	Bucharest
The Best time to visit	May to September
Official languages	Romanian

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a country with diverse terrain located in southeast Europe. Its remarkable and large variety of scenery attracts visitors from all over the world. From mountains, rivers, and beaches to beautiful cities and towns, the charm of this country lures every traveller.

Capital city	Sofia
The Best time to visit	June to September
Official languages	Romanian

• A Schengen visa is a special visa that allows the holder to enter all Schengen countries freely.
• It means that with one visa, a traveller can visit multiple Schengen countries without applying for a separate visa. Thus, the Schengen visa simplifies travelling within the Schengen area.
• A Schengen visa is required only by the citizens of non-Schengen countries. Meanwhile, the citizens of Schengen countries and the European Union can travel to these countries visa-free.
• It is mandatory to have foreign travel insurance to get a Schengen visa.
• There are various types of Schengen visas:

1. Short stay or type C visa: Allows you to stay for 90 days in a 180-day period.
2. Transit visa or type A visa: With this visa, you can only transit or pass through the Schengen country for an onward journey to another country.
3. Long-term or type D visa: Allows you to stay for more than 90 days or long term.

• Some other types of Schengen visas are tourist visas, student visas, business visas and work visas.

Also Read: How to Avoid Schengen Visa Rejections

• Schengen countries allow people to travel freely between the member countries without any border restrictions and controls.
• To visit Schengen countries, one requires a special visa called the ‘Schengen visa.’
• Schengen countries have common requirements for non-European visitors, such as a valid passport, financial ability, travel insurance, itinerary proof, etc.
• Member countries can introduce temporary border controls if they detect any threat.
• All member nations use the Schengen Information System (SIS) to share security and border management information.

Also Read: Schengen Visa Fees for Indians

If you wish to travel to any of the countries from the Schengen countries list, you must apply for a Schengen visa. This visa allows you to move unrestricted to these countries during your stay and explore the marvellous wonders of these countries.

Among many documents required for Schengen visa application, one vital prerequisite is proof of travel insurance online. TATA AIG offers the most comprehensive Schengen travel insurance, covering all aspects of your journey at the most affordable premium rates. Our travel insurance plan offers coverage of € 30,000, which is the key requirement for a Schengen visa.

When you buy travel insurance from TATA AIG, you get coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation expenses, baggage insurance, trip cancellation and curtailment compensation, medical evacuation or repatriation, personal liability cover, policy extension and many such benefits.

We offer various travel insurance plans, such as Travel Guard, Travel Guard Plus, Asia Travel Guard, Student Guard, etc. Buy travel insurance online from TATA AIG to secure your trip and travel the world with peace of mind.