List of Schengen Countries

Schengen countries are a list of 26 countries that have put an end to the restrictions on the movement of people by abolishing their internal borders. This was done to strengthen the external borders, make the judicial system more powerful, and enhance harmony among the people.

Almost all the European countries have signed up to become a part of the Schengen countries list except for a few like Ireland. So, with a Schengen visa, you will be able to travel between these countries with minimal checks and formalities.

If you are applying for a Schengen visa from India, you might get a maximum stay of 90 days. But, this is dependent upon the type of visa that you apply for.

Now, let us get to the list of the 26 Schengen countries.

Here are the 26 Schengen countries’ names (appearing in alphabetical order) that you must know about:

• Austria

The first one in the Schengen countries list is Austria which shares its border with eight other European countries. The country is situated in Central Europe and is home to approximately 8.95 million people in this part of Europe. Therefore, it became a part of the 26 Schengen countries list on 28th April 1995.

• Belgium

One of the low-lying countries located in western Europe is Belgium. The country is bordered by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and Germany. The country is considered a federal state and is separated into three regions. It became a part of the Schengen countries list on 14th June 1985.

• Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of the Schengen visa countries that shares its borders with four other European countries — Austria, Germany, Slovakia, and Poland. In the year 2016, the Czech Republic was home to over 10 million people. Therefore, it became a part of the 26 Schengen visa countries on 16th April 2003.

• Denmark

One of the 26 Schengen countries, Denmark has occupied the Jutland peninsula, and it lies northward from the centre of western Europe. It became a part of the 26 Schengen visa countries list on 19th December 1996 and is inhabited by almost 5.8 million people.

• Estonia

Another country on the Schengen map is Estonia shares the border with three Baltic countries. In the south, you will see Latvia; on the west of the country is the Baltic sea, Lake Peipus and Russia are located in the east, and in the north lies the Gulf of Finland. The country is inhabited by almost 10 million people. It became a part of the 26 Schengen visa countries on 16th April 2003.

• Finland

Another country located on the Schengen map is Finland. It is home to over 5.5 million people. It is located in northern Europe, and it is bordered by Sweden in the northwest, Norway is located on the northern side, and Russia borders it from the east. It became a part of the 26 Schengen visa countries list on 19th December 1996.

• France

When it comes to the European countries’ names, France is one of the most famous countries. It is located at the western edge of the European continent. In the northwest of the country lies the English Channel, the North Sea surrounds it in the north, and the Bay of Biscay lies on the western side. It became a part of the Schengen countries on 14th June 1985.

• Germany

Located in central as well as western Europe, Germany shares its borders with Denmark in the north and the Czech Republic and Poland in the east. It shares the borders with 9 countries. It signed up to become a Schengen visa country on 14th June 1985.

• Greece

Another amazing Schengen country is Greece. It is situated at the crossroads of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is home to more than 11.1 million people. It became a part of the Schengen countries list on 6th Nov. 1992.

• Hungary

One of the Schengen countries’ names is Hungary which is situated in Central Europe. It is inhabited by over 9.7 million people. The country shares its borders with Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, and Serbia. It became a part of the Schengen countries list on 16th April 2003.

• Iceland

The country is situated in the North Atlantic and is home to about 0.4 million people. The country signed up for the first time on the 19th of Dec. 1996 and then signed another agreement on the 18th of May 1999.

• Italy

When you say European countries’ names, Italy is one of the most prominent names. This is because the location of the country is at the heart of the vast Mediterranean sea. This country shares its borders with Vatican City, Switzerland, Slovenia, France, San Marino, and Austria. It is home to over 59 million people. It became a part of the Schengen countries on 27th November 1990.

• Latvia

One of the Schengen visa countries, Latvia shares its borders with Russia from the east, Belarus from the southeast, Lithuania from the south, and Estonia from the north. It is inhabited by 1.9 million people. It became one of the Schengen visa countries on 16th April 2003.

• Liechtenstein

This country is one of the doubly landlocked countries in the continent of Europe. It is considered a microstate and is home to 37,666 people. The country signed up to become a part of the Schengen zone on 28th Feb. 2008.

• Lithuania

Another one on the list of Schengen visa countries list is Lithuania which is bordered by Latvia from the north, Belarus from the south and east, Kaliningrad Oblast from the south-west, and Poland from the south. It is inhabited by 2.9 million people and became a part of the Schengen countries on 16th April 2003.

• Luxembourg

The country is home to over 0.5 million people and became a part of the Schengen countries on 14th June 1985.

• Malta

One of the Schengen countries, Malta constitutes an archipelago in the vast Mediterranean sea. It is home to over 0.4 million people. It became a part of the Schengen zone on 16th April 2003.

• Netherlands

One of the most beautiful Schengen countries, the Netherlands is bordered by Germany from the east, Belgium from the south, and the North Sea from the northwest. It is inhabited by over 17 million people. It became a part of the Schengen zone on 14th June 1985.

• Norway

This stunning country shares its borders with Russia and Finland from the northeast, Denmark from the other side, and the Skagerrak strait from the south. It is home to about 5.2 million residents. The country signed up for the first time on the 19th of Dec. 1996 and then signed another agreement on the 18th of May 1999.

• Poland

Located in the central part of the European continent, Poland is home to over 38 million people. It became a part of the Schengen visa countries list on 16th April 2003. Poland shares its eastern borders with two non-Schengen countries — Ukraine and Belarus.

• Portugal

Portugal is on the list of the Schengen countries and shares its borders with Spain. It is home to over 10.3 million people. It signed up to become a part of the Schengen visa countries list on 25th June 1991. It is a beautiful country with a long coastline surrounding its western part.

• Slovenia

It is also one of the Schengen countries that you must be aware of. The country is home to 2 million people. It signed up to become a part of the Schengen zone on 16th April 2003.

• Slovakia

Another landlocked country that lies in the central part of the European continent is Slovakia. It is home to over 5 million people. The country is bordered by Ukraine from the east, the Czech Republic in the west, Poland from the north, Hungary from the south, and Austria from the south-west. It signed up to become a part of the Schengen zone on 16th April 2003.

• Spain

One of the most stunning countries in Europe, it shares its borders with the Bay of Biscay and France from the north. It is inhabited by 46 million people. It became one of the countries in the Schengen zone on 25th June 1991.

• Sweden

Located in the northern part of the European continent, Sweden is bordered by Norway and Finland. It is home to over 9.8 million people. It became a part of the 26 Schengen visa countries list on 19th December 1996.

• Switzerland

One of the most enchanting countries in Europe, Switzerland is a landlocked country. It is bordered by Italy from the south, France from the west, Liechtenstein and Austria from the east and Germany from the north. It became one of the countries in the Schengen zone on 26th October 2004.

Thus, these are the 26 Schengen countries that you must know about before you plan to visit any of them. In addition, you must know the visa application process before you apply and ensure that you have all the documents that you need. Moreover, do not forget to purchase valid international travel insurance from Tata AIG to have a hassle-free and safe trip.