The concept of open borders is fascinating, particularly in a world where the freedom to move and migrate has become increasingly essential. One of the most famous embodiments of this idea is the Schengen Area, a collection of European countries that have eliminated passport and other types of border controls at their mutual borders.
The Genesis of the Schengen Area
The Schengen Area, named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement signed in the village of Schengen in Luxembourg, was a visionary endeavor. What began as a project between five countries of the European Economic Community has expanded to cover a large part of the European continent.
This area doesn’t just signify the ease of travel; it’s a testament to the European vision of unity, cooperation, and trust among nations. It encapsulates the idea that people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds can coexist, work, and travel harmoniously without the hindrance of rigorous border checks.
Benefits of the Schengen Area
Ease of Travel: For travelers, the Schengen Area is a paradise. Once you enter one Schengen country, you can normally travel to the others without routine border checks (some countries temporarily reintroduce internal checks, so carry your passport). This facilitates business, tourism, and even personal journeys across countries.
Economic Growth: Open borders stimulate economic growth. Businesses find it easier to operate, workers move freely, and tourists find it less cumbersome to visit multiple destinations.
Cultural Exchange: The Schengen Area promotes intercultural exchange, enabling people to experience diverse European cultures seamlessly.
Understanding the Schengen Visa
For non-EU nationals, the Schengen visa is a golden ticket to explore multiple countries on a single visa. With this visa, tourists can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, offering an unmatched European experience. However, it’s crucial to understand the visa guidelines, as overstaying can lead to penalties or bans from future travel within the area.
List of Schengen Visa Countries
The Schengen Area at a glance (as at October 2026)
| Item | Current position |
|---|---|
| Member countries | 29 countries |
| EU members in Schengen | 25 of the 27 EU member states |
| Non-EU members | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland |
| EU members outside Schengen | Cyprus (expected to join, now aiming for 2027) and Ireland (opt-out, shares a Common Travel Area with the UK) |
| Most recent members | Croatia (1 January 2023), Bulgaria and Romania (air and sea borders 31 March 2024, full membership including land borders 1 January 2025) |
| Short-stay limit | 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the whole area |
| Border records | The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at external borders since 10 April 2026 |
| Next change | ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, expected to start in late 2026 |
The list of members on this page reflects the current 29 countries. If you are planning a trip that also takes in Cyprus, Ireland or the United Kingdom, remember that these are separate entry systems: a Schengen visa does not cover them, and days spent there do not count towards your Schengen 90 days.
How the Schengen Area grew
The Schengen Area did not appear overnight. It started as an agreement between five neighbours and grew in waves as countries met the shared rules on external borders, visas and police cooperation.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Schengen Agreement signed by Belgium, France, West Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands |
| 1990 | Schengen Convention signed, setting out how border controls would be removed |
| 1995 | Internal border checks lifted between the founding countries plus Spain and Portugal |
| 1997 to 2001 | Italy, Austria, Greece and then the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Norway) join |
| 1999 | The Schengen rules become part of EU law |
| 2007 to 2008 | Nine countries that joined the EU in 2004 join: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia |
| 2008 | Switzerland joins |
| 2011 | Liechtenstein joins |
| 2023 | Croatia joins |
| 2024 to 2025 | Bulgaria and Romania join, first at air and sea borders, then in full |
What the Schengen Area means for you
Visa-free short stays
Australian citizens do not need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, for purposes such as tourism, visiting family or friends, and business meetings. This does not allow you to work.
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area and should have been issued within the last 10 years.
- On your first entry since the Entry/Exit System started, border officers register your passport details, a facial image and fingerprints. Later crossings are recorded electronically instead of by passport stamps.
- Once ETIAS starts (expected late 2026, with a transition period), you will also need an approved travel authorisation before you travel.
- Australia has older bilateral visa waiver agreements with some Schengen countries. These may allow extra time in that one country, but terms vary and border officers may not apply them automatically, so check with that country’s embassy before relying on one.
The 90/180 rule in practice
The 90-day limit is not a fresh allowance each time you arrive. On any given day, border officers look back over the previous 180 days and count every day you spent anywhere in the Schengen Area. Your day of arrival and your day of departure each count as a full day.
For example, if you spend 60 days travelling through Italy and France, leave for the United Kingdom, and want to return a month later, you only have 30 days available until your earlier days start to fall outside the 180-day window.
Because the Entry/Exit System now records every entry and exit electronically, overstays are detected automatically. An overstay can lead to fines, removal and a ban on returning. Use our Schengen visa calculator to check your days before you book.
FAQs on the Schengen Area
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders, allowing for the unrestricted movement of people.
Do I always need a visa to enter the Schengen Area?
EU, EEA, and many other nationals do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area for short stays. However, nationals from certain countries do require a visa. It’s essential to check visa requirements before traveling.
Can I work in any Schengen country with a Schengen visa?
No, the Schengen visa is primarily for tourism and short visits. To work, you’d need a work permit or visa specific to the country you intend to work in.
How long can I stay in the Schengen Area with a Schengen visa?
You can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Why are some EU countries not part of the Schengen Area?
While the Schengen Area includes most EU countries, two are not members: Cyprus, which is expected to join (it now aims for 2027), and Ireland, which has an opt-out. Croatia joined in 2023, and Bulgaria and Romania became full members on 1 January 2025.