Last Updated: 26 October 2026. Cyprus and ETIAS status updated.
As of October 2026, there are 29 countries in the Schengen Area, with Bulgaria and Romania the most recent full members since January 2025. Knowing which countries are — and aren’t — in the Schengen Area is essential for any Europe trip. Getting this wrong can mean accidentally overstaying your welcome, or missing out on countries where your 90-day clock doesn’t even run.
⚡ Schengen Area Countries: Quick Facts
| How many Schengen countries in 2026? | 29 countries |
| Most recent additions? | Bulgaria and Romania: air and sea from March 2024, full members since January 2025 |
| Who joins next? | Cyprus is not yet a Schengen member. The Commission found it technically ready in July 2026 (Press-reported: EU Perspectives, 15 Jul 2026). Its Deputy Migration Minister says Cyprus expects to join in full during 2027, and a new member needs the unanimous backing of the 25 member states already in Schengen (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 10 Oct 2026). |
| Days allowed across all 29 countries? | 90 days in any rolling 180-day window — combined |
| Do all 29 require a Schengen visa? | No — visa requirement depends on your nationality, not the destination. Visa-exempt nationals (US, UK, CA, AU, etc.) get 90 days visa-free across all 29. |
| Is the UK in Schengen? | No — time in the UK does not count toward your 90 days |
| Is Ireland in Schengen? | No — Ireland opted out despite being an EU member |
| ETIAS required from when? | Not yet. ETIAS is not in operation and no start date has been announced. When live: €20, does not change the 90/180-day rule. |
What Is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries — named after a small village in Luxembourg — that have eliminated passport controls at their shared borders. Once you enter one Schengen country, you can travel freely between all of them with no additional border checks.
For visa and immigration purposes, the entire Schengen Area functions as a single country. That means your 90/180-day limit applies across all 29 countries combined — not per country. Two weeks in France, a month in Spain, and three weeks in Italy all draw from the same 90-day pool.
All 29 Schengen Countries (2026)
| Country | Capital | Schengen Since | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Vienna | 1997 | Euro (€) |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Brussels | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Sofia | 2024 (air/sea) · 2025 (full) | Euro (€) — adopted Jan 2026 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | Zagreb | 2023 | Euro (€) |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Prague | 2007 | Czech Koruna (Kč) |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Copenhagen | 2001 | Danish Krone (kr) |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | Tallinn | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Helsinki | 2001 | Euro (€) |
| 🇫🇷 France | Paris | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Berlin | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Athens | 2000 | Euro (€) |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Budapest | 2007 | Hungarian Forint (Ft) |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Reykjavik | 2001 | Icelandic Króna (kr) |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Rome | 1997 | Euro (€) |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | Riga | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Vaduz | 2011 | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Vilnius | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Luxembourg City | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Valletta | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Amsterdam | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Oslo | 2001 | Norwegian Krone (kr) |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Warsaw | 2007 | Polish Złoty (zł) |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Lisbon | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Bucharest | 2024 (air/sea) · 2025 (full) | Romanian Leu (lei) |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Bratislava | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Ljubljana | 2007 | Euro (€) |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Madrid | 1995 | Euro (€) |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Stockholm | 2001 | Swedish Krona (kr) |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Bern | 2008 | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
Recent Additions: Bulgaria and Romania
Bulgaria and Romania are the two most recent Schengen members, but their accession happened in two phases. Air and sea borders opened on March 31, 2024, allowing passport-free flights and ferries to and from both countries. Land borders followed on January 1, 2025, completing full Schengen integration.
For travelers, the practical implication is straightforward: as of 2026, both countries function as full Schengen members. Time spent in either country counts toward your 90-day Schengen limit, and there are no internal border controls when entering by air, sea, or land.
One further change worth knowing: Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 BGN to the euro. The two circulated together through January, and since February 1, 2026 the euro has been the sole legal tender. If you have old lev notes from a previous trip, the six-month period in which Bulgarian banks had to exchange levs for euro free of charge ended on June 30, 2026. Banks may now charge fees, while the Bulgarian National Bank exchanges levs for euro at its counters free of charge, with no end date. Romania still uses the leu.
Schengen vs. EU vs. Eurozone: What’s the Difference?
⚠️ Common Confusion: EU ≠ Schengen
The European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area are two different things. Ireland is in the EU but NOT in Schengen. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are in Schengen but NOT in the EU. For travelers, what matters is Schengen membership — that’s what determines whether your 90-day clock is running.
These three terms get mixed up constantly. Here’s the simple breakdown:
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 countries. Members share certain laws, trade agreements, and policies. Some EU citizens can live and work in any other EU country.
The Schengen Area is a travel zone of 29 countries with no internal border controls. It exists for freedom of movement — not politics. That’s why non-EU countries like Norway and Switzerland are in Schengen, while EU member Ireland is not.
The Eurozone is the group of 21 EU countries that use the Euro (€) as their currency — Bulgaria became the twenty-first in January 2026. Some Schengen countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Poland use their own currencies.
As a traveler, the only one that affects your visa situation is Schengen. The EU and Eurozone don’t change how long you can stay.
| Country | EU? | Schengen? | Euro? |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Norway | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ireland | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Switzerland | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Poland | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cyprus | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| United Kingdom | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
🗺️ See all three zones on a map
Toggle between the Schengen Area, the European Union and the 30 countries that will require ETIAS, then click any country for its status across all three. The EU vs Schengen view shows the whole overlap at once.
Open the Zone Map →🛂 Need a Schengen Visa?
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Non-Schengen Countries in Europe (Where Your 90 Days Don’t Count)
This is the list many travelers actually need. These countries are in Europe but outside the Schengen Area — meaning time spent here does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit. Many long-term travelers use these as “reset” destinations between Schengen stays.
🇬🇧 Going to the UK too? The UK isn’t in Schengen — your 90-day clock doesn’t run there. But every visa-exempt traveler now needs a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding. £20, applied online, valid 2 years. Most US, Canadian, and Australian travelers combining Schengen with London or Edinburgh need both — Schengen entry rules AND a UK ETA.
| Country | Visa-Free Stay (for US/UK/CA/AU) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇱 Albania | Up to 1 year (US) / 90 days (others) | Popular digital nomad base. Affordable, beautiful coast. |
| 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 90 days in 180 days | Rich history, incredibly affordable. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Up to 6 months (US/CA/AU) | Left the EU in 2020. Completely separate immigration system. UK ETA now required for visa-exempt nationalities (see the GOV.UK list). |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Up to 90 days (US/CA/AU) | EU member but NOT Schengen. Own immigration rules. Opted out of ETIAS entirely. |
| 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 90 days in 180 days | Stunning coast, growing expat scene. |
| 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | 90 days in 180 days | Very affordable. Lake Ohrid is a hidden gem. |
| 🇷🇸 Serbia | 90 days in 180 days | Belgrade is a top digital nomad hub. Great nightlife, low cost. |
| 🇽🇰 Kosovo | 90 days in 180 days | Europe’s newest country. Extremely budget-friendly. |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | 90 days in 180 days | Massive country straddling Europe/Asia. Visa-free for US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports — the e-visa requirement was dropped for the US and Canada in December 2023 and for Australia in April 2026. Indian and South African travellers still need a visa via evisa.gov.tr. |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 90 days in 180 days | Travel advisories in effect due to ongoing conflict. |
| 🇲🇩 Moldova | 90 days in 180 days | Off the beaten path. Wine country. |
| 🇬🇪 Georgia | Up to 1 year (visa-free) | Top digital nomad destination. 1-year visa-free stay for 95+ nationalities. |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | 90 days | EU member but NOT Schengen yet (accession decision pending). Will be covered by ETIAS once it launches. |
💡 The Digital Nomad Strategy
Many long-term travelers alternate between Schengen and non-Schengen countries to legally maximize their time in Europe. The most common pattern: spend 90 days in the Schengen Area, then 90 days outside in places like Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, or Georgia. On day 91 outside, a rolling 1:1 exchange begins — each old Schengen day that ages off is replaced by one new available day, allowing up to another 90 days inside. See our complete guide to the 90/180-day rule for exactly how this works.
🛡️ Insurance That Follows You Across Every Border
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Who Joins Schengen Next? Cyprus and the Western Balkans (2026–2027)
If you’re looking for the upcoming Schengen country list for 2027, it realistically has one name on it: Cyprus. No other country is close.
Cyprus: decision pending
Cyprus is an EU member that has been legally committed to joining Schengen since it joined the EU. It is not yet a Schengen member. The European Commission found Cyprus technically ready in July 2026 (Press-reported: EU Perspectives, 15 Jul 2026), and member states discussed Cyprus’s request in a Council working party on September 15, 2026 (Press-reported: IMI Daily, 12 Oct 2026, citing Ant1). Cyprus’s accession was not on the agenda when EU home affairs ministers met in Luxembourg in early October (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 15 Oct 2026). On October 10, 2026, Cyprus’s Deputy Migration Minister said the government expects to finish six outstanding actions by early November, then tell the Commission that Cyprus is technically ready, and to join Schengen in full during 2027. A new member needs the unanimous backing of the 25 member states already in Schengen (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 10 Oct 2026).
Cyprus’s Deputy Migration Minister said on October 2, 2026 that all Commission recommendations are now considered implemented and that an agreement at the political level is now needed (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 2 Oct 2026). Cyprus Mail also reported that the Cypriot government insists the Entry/Exit System will not be applied at the nine crossing points along the Green Line, a position it said many see as unworkable (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 15 Oct 2026).
What it means for your trip: until Cyprus actually joins, it stays outside Schengen. Days there don’t count toward your 90, and a Schengen visa doesn’t automatically cover it. Once it joins, Cyprus days will draw from the same 90-day pool as the rest of the zone. Joining can also happen in stages, as it did for Bulgaria and Romania, so check the rules for your travel dates.
The Western Balkans: years away
Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are at various stages of EU accession. None is expected to join the EU before the late 2020s, and Schengen membership comes years after EU membership: Croatia joined the EU in 2013 and Schengen only in 2023. For now, all of them remain outside the zone and their days don’t count toward your 90.
When a country does join Schengen, your 90-day clock starts running there too. If you use Albania or Montenegro as a reset destination, keep an eye on their progress over the coming years.
How to Track Your Days Across Schengen Countries
With 29 countries sharing the same 90-day pool, tracking your days manually gets complicated fast — especially if you’re making multiple trips. A week in Amsterdam, two weeks in Barcelona, ten days in Prague… it adds up quickly.
Since the Entry/Exit System became fully operational in April 2026, every entry into and exit from the Schengen Area is recorded digitally rather than stamped by hand. Some crossings in nine countries were still not taking fingerprints from everyone in September 2026, but your dates are logged either way. Miscounting used to be survivable. It isn’t any more.
This is exactly why we built our free Schengen Stay Calculator. Enter your past and planned trips, and it instantly shows how many days you’ve used and how many you have left.
🧮 Use the Free Schengen Calculator →
Protect Yourself While Traveling Europe
If you’re applying for a Schengen visa, travel insurance with at least €30,000 medical coverage is mandatory — you can’t get the visa without it. Even for visa-free travelers, a hospital visit in Switzerland can easily cost thousands, and a delayed flight during peak season can wipe out a budget.
For a full comparison of options — including coverage built for digital nomads, retirees, and long-stay travelers — see our guide to the best travel insurance for Europe in 2026.
What About ETIAS?
Eventually, visa-free travelers will need an ETIAS authorization before entering any Schengen country. This is a quick online application (€20 for adults aged 18 to 70, free outside that range) — similar to the US ESTA.
ETIAS is not in operation yet, and no start date has been announced. The European Commission’s March 2025 timeline expected ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026. The Commission’s ETIAS page now says ETIAS is not in operation and gives no start date, and that the EU will announce the date several months before launch.
ETIAS doesn’t change which countries are in Schengen, and it doesn’t change the 90/180-day rule. It’s simply an extra step before you travel — once it launches. Read our complete ETIAS guide for the current timeline and everything you need to know, or see the zone map for which countries it will cover.
ETIAS by passport: US citizens · UK citizens · Canadians · Australians · all other passports
Sources
- European Commission: Schengen area
- European Commission: History of Schengen
- European Commission: Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Area
- European Commission: Short-stay calculator
- European Commission: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational
- European Central Bank: Bulgaria introduces the euro
- European Commission: Revised timeline for the EES and ETIAS
- Bulgarian National Bank: Press release of 1 July 2026 on exchanging levs for euro
- Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa Information For Foreigners
- GOV.UK: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK: Overview
- GOV.UK: Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
Checked 26 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in the Schengen Area in 2026?
There are 29 countries in the Schengen Area as of 2026. The 29 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Which countries will join Schengen next?
Cyprus is next in line, but it is not yet a Schengen member. The European Commission found Cyprus technically ready in July 2026 (Press-reported: EU Perspectives, 15 Jul 2026), and the decision rests with the EU member states inside Schengen, which must agree unanimously. Cyprus’s accession was not on the agenda of the early-October home affairs ministers’ meeting (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 15 Oct 2026), and Cyprus’s Deputy Migration Minister says it expects to join in full during 2027 (Press-reported: Cyprus Mail, 10 Oct 2026). No Western Balkan country is expected to join for years, because Schengen membership follows EU membership.
Is Poland in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Poland joined the Schengen Area in 2007. Time spent in Poland counts toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
Is Norway part of the Schengen Area?
Yes. Norway has been a Schengen member since 2001, despite not being in the European Union. Schengen and EU membership are separate things.
Is Switzerland in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Switzerland joined Schengen in 2008, despite not being an EU member. The same 90/180-day limit applies as in any other Schengen country.
Is Ireland in the Schengen Area?
No. Ireland is an EU member but opted out of the Schengen Agreement. It has its own visa and immigration rules, and time spent there does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
Is Cyprus in the Schengen Area?
No, not yet. Cyprus is an EU member but has not joined the Schengen Area, so days there don’t count toward your 90. The European Commission found Cyprus technically ready in July 2026 (Press-reported: EU Perspectives, 15 Jul 2026), and the final decision rests with EU member states. Cyprus will also be covered by ETIAS once it launches.
Is the UK in the Schengen Area?
No. The UK left the EU in 2020 and was never part of the Schengen Area. Time spent in the UK does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
Does time in Croatia count toward my 90 days?
Yes. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023. Time there counts toward your 90-day limit.
Did Bulgaria and Romania join Schengen?
Yes. Both countries joined the Schengen Area in 2024 for air and sea borders, and became full members when land border checks ended on January 1, 2025. Time spent in either country counts toward your 90-day Schengen limit.
What currency does Bulgaria use now?
The euro. Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 BGN to the euro, and the euro has been the sole legal tender since February 1, 2026. Bulgaria is the twenty-first member of the eurozone. Romania still uses the Romanian leu.
Do I need a visa or e-visa for Turkey?
Not if you hold an ordinary passport from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or an EU member state. Turkey dropped the e-visa requirement for US and Canadian citizens in December 2023 and for Australians in April 2026, and all of these nationalities now enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Indian and South African travellers still need a visa, obtained through the official portal at evisa.gov.tr. Time in Turkey does not count toward your Schengen 90 days.
Does Switzerland require a Schengen visa?
Switzerland is a full Schengen member despite not being in the EU. The same visa rules and 90/180-day limit apply as in any other Schengen country.
Can I spend 90 days in France AND 90 days in Spain?
No. France and Spain are both in the Schengen Area, so they share the same 90-day pool. 90 days across ALL Schengen countries combined — not 90 days per country.
Which European countries can I visit without using my Schengen days?
The UK, Ireland, Turkey, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Cyprus are all outside the Schengen Area.
🌍 Check Entry Rules for Any European Country
Visa requirements, Schengen status, ETIAS, currency, and more — personalized for your nationality.
Use the Europe Travel Planner →Related Articles
- Schengen Area Map — see all three zones and how they overlap
- Schengen 90/180-Day Rule Explained — the rule that makes the country list matter
- Free Schengen Stay Calculator — track days across all 29 countries
- Non-Schengen Countries in Europe — where your 90-day clock doesn’t run
- How to Apply for a Schengen Visa — for visa-required nationalities
- Digital Nomad Schengen Guide — spending more than 90 days legally
- Retire in Europe: Long-Stay Visa Options — long-stay visa routes for spending more than 90 days legally in Europe
- Best Travel Insurance for Europe — €30k Schengen visa requirement
- ETIAS: Complete Guide — €20 authorization (not yet in operation)
- Entry/Exit System (EES) Explained — digital border records, live since April 2026
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa rules change frequently — always verify with official sources before traveling. Last updated: 26 October 2026.