Schengen EU & NON-EU members
The Schengen Area consists of 26 states, including four which are not members of the European Union (EU). Two of the non-EU members, Iceland and Norway, are part of the Nordic Passport Union and are officially classified as 'states associated with the Schengen activities of the EU'. Switzerland was allowed to participate in the same manner in 2008. Liechtenstein joined the Schengen Area on 19 December 2011. De facto, the Schengen Area also includes three European micro-states – Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City – that maintain open or semi-open borders with other Schengen member countries.
Two EU members – Ireland and the United Kingdom – negotiated to opt-out of the Schengen area but continue to operate the Common Travel Area systematic border controls with other EU member states.
Golden Visa Future partners
The remaining four EU member states – Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania – are obliged to eventually join the Schengen Area. However, before fully implementing the Schengen rules, each state must have its preparedness assessed in four areas: air borders, visas, police cooperation, and personal data protection. This evaluation process involves a questionnaire and visits by EU experts to selected institutions and workplaces in the country under assessment.
The only land borders with border controls (not counting temporary ones) between EU/EEA members, are those of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania (which are expected to be removed), the one at Gibraltar and those at the Channel Tunnel.
A
Austria - 1 December 1997
B
Belgium - 26 March 1995
C
Czech Republic - 21 December 2007
D
Denmark - 25 March 2001
E
Estonia - 21 December 2007
F
Finland - 25 March 2001
France - 26 March 1995
G
Germany - 26 March 1995
Greece - 1 January 2000
H
Hungary - 21 December 2007
I
Iceland - 25 March 2001
Italy - 26 October 1997
L
Latvia - 21 December 2007
Liechtenstein - 19 December 2011
Lithuania - 21 December 2007
Luxembourg - 26 March 1995
M
Malta - 21 December 2007
N
Netherlands - 26 March 1995
Norway - 25 March 2001
P
Poland - 21 December 2007
Portugal - 26 March 1995
Lithuania - 21 December 2007
Luxembourg - 26 March 1995
S
Slovakia - 21 December 2007
Slovenia - 21 December 2007
Spain - 26 March 1995
Sweden - 25 March 2001
Switzerland - 12 December 2008