Why Schengen is important?

Knowing about Schengen area is probably the most important for travelers, immigrants and those who seek citizenship in the EU member states. This is could avoid so many problems in the future!

Sometimes EU and Schengen area may be confusing to many outsiders and third country nationals.

For example, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are not even Schengen countries at all. They may join in the future, but not yet.

Importance of Schengen:

You can avoid so many problems associated with your travel and immigration status, just by having a little knowledge about Schengen area and countries.  For example;

1.         First understand which countries are in Schengen and in Non-Schengen.

2.         Leaving the Schengen area (e.g. Croa) and coming back requires a multiple entry visa. You would be stranded with single entry can can’t come back.

3.         Sometimes you won’t even know you left the schengen area (e.g. you visited Monaco). With the Covid-19 crisis and everything almost all schengen countries have reinforced internal borders so more checks.

4.         You apply for citizenship in a country that is not a schengen member (e.g. Cyprus). Note there is an important distinction with citizens and residents. Free movement is not restricted to citizens. If you become a Cypriot citizen, you become EU citizen and your free movement won’t be restricted, despite Cyprus being a non-schengen state. Cyprus applied for membership last year in Sep 2019.

5.         Residence permits or visas issued by non-schengen states is not valid for visa travel in the Schengen area. This is very important. Our advice is don’t apply for golden visa programs in non-Schengen countries.

6.         Important differences! SchengenVisas are only valid for short term (less than 90 days) while residence permits are valid for more than 90 days (D visa). A residence permits probably give you more rights in the Schengen area, such as access to education, healthcare, work etc.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished all passport and border control at their mutual borders functioning as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement.

As of 2020, 22 of the 27 EU member states participate in the Schengen Area.

EU-member states:

22 EU countries that are part of the Schengen area borders

Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden

Non-EU member states

These four EFTA Associated countries also participate in the schengen area:

Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

Note: These four country citizens are not EU citizens

Non-Schengen members       

      

•           EU member states: 4 EU members that are not part of the Schengen Area —Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania—but are legally obliged to join the area in the future

•           Defacto Microstates: Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City

•           Opt-out State – Ireland opted out therefore not part of Schengen area

•           Territories – Territories of French, Dutch and British not part of schengen area

•           Candidates – Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Turkey and North Macedonia

•           Potential candidates – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo

Note: Schengen states should not be confused with European Union.