Schengen

Passport-free travel zone

Schengen refers to the Schengen Area, a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders.

Named after a village in Luxembourg where the original agreement was signed, it allows free movement of people across member states: Once you enter the Schengen zone, you can travel between countries without showing your passport.

Schengen visas permit short stays throughout the area.

treaty

agreement

Shared position between parties

conventionAgreed standard of behavior
1985Specific calendar year
LuxembourgEuropean grand duchy

Benelux · ratification · protocol · amendment · implementation · provisions · harmonization · signatories · founding · negotiation

zone

European Union

Continental political-economic federation

member statesCountries within a union
EurozoneSingle-currency economic area
free movementUnrestricted ability to travel

territory · expansion · enlargement · accession · signatory · Iceland · Norway · Switzerland · Liechtenstein · SIS

visa

application

Formal request document

consulateForeign diplomatic office
embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
documentationWritten proof or instructions

requirements · processing · fee · validity · entry · permit · tourist · business · sticker · biometrics

travel

visa-free

Requiring no entry document

tourismLeisure travel sector
backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
EurailEuropean train travel pass

itinerary · border crossing · passport control · destinations · sightseeing · holiday · trip · hostel · landmarks · guidebook

Schengen

agreement

European Union

application

visa-free

Schengen

Opposites

Phrases

Categories