Schengen countries that require ETIAS

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a zone that consists of neighbouring European countries that which have abolished internal border checks. passport controls and all other types of border checks controls at mutual borders. There are effectively no hard borders between the participating countries, only a singular, shared external border.

The Schengen Area covers over 4 million square kilometres and its population exceeds 400 million.

Around 1.4 billion people from non-EU countries can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa. This includes citizens of Australia, Japan, and the United States.

From 2025, visa-exempt visitors will need ETIAS to enter the Schengen zone.

Non-EU nationals from other countries need a visa for the Schengen Area.

Brief history of the Schengen Area

Difference between the Schengen Area and the European Union

The Schengen Area and the European Union (EU) are 2 separate entities. Not all Schengen members are in the EU and not all EU members are in the Schengen Area.

The European Union is a political and economic union of European countries. The Schengen Area is a travel region with free movement between member nations.

Schengen zone border controls

Given that there are no internal checkpoints in the Schengen Area, efficient and secure external borders are essential to keeping the region safe.

Each country manages its external borders in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code. This set of common rules ensures consistency and means that travellers know what to expect.

To enter the Schengen Area as a third-country national, you need either a Schengen visa or from 2025 ETIAS. Which permit you need depends on your nationality.

Although they are different types of permit, in both cases you can stay anywhere in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days once you’ve crossed the external border.

Travelling to the Schengen Area with ETIAS

ETIAS is for travellers from visa-exempt non-EU countries. If you’re from an eligible country, you should apply for a visa waiver online before visiting anywhere in the Schengen Area.

The approved travel authorisation is linked to your passport and verified when your passport is scanned at the external border. It’s valid for up to 3 years and multiple entries.

Schengen visa requirements

Foreigners who are not eligible for ETIAS need a Schengen visa to cross the external border. The visa is obtained at a Schengen nation embassy, supporting documentation such as proof of funds and medical coverage is required. Travellers are asked to present their valid passport and Schengen visa at the border checkpoint.

Whilst there are no internal checkpoints in place, travellers should carry their documentation with them and be prepared to answer any questions authorities may have.

List of Schengen countries

The Schengen Area is made up of 27 European countries (ETIAS countries).

Of the 27 EU member states, 23 are in the Schengen Area. There are also 4 non-EU Schengen members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

Schengen member countries

Non-EU member states that require ETIAS

EU micro-states

Potential Schengen members

Three nations that are in the process of joining the Schengen Area are also part of the ETIAS countries:

An ETIAS travel authorisation is not only required to visit the countries already in the Schengen Area. It is also mandatory for visa-exempt travellers who wish to visit these countries with pending Schengen membership.

How to become a Schengen member country

To join the Schengen zone, countries must meet all the entry conditions. Firstly, any nation wishing to join the region must be able to manage external borders and issue uniform Schengen visas.

Potential Schengen countries must also agree to cooperate with law enforcement agencies across the region. Such cooperation allows for a high level of security to be maintained once internal borders are abolished.

Schengen membership requires that countries apply the common Schengen rules and also connect to and make use of the Schengen Information System (SIS).

Applicant nations must pass the Schengen evaluation before being able to join. They will also be assessed on a regular basis after membership is granted in order to ensure all the criteria continue to be met.

ETIAS eligible countries

There are more than 50 eligible nationalities that will need ETIAS to travel to Europe by 2025.

Citizens of each of the countries listed below will be required to register with ETIAS before entering the Schengen Area, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.

With ETIAS, you can spend up to 90 days per 180-day period in the Schengen Area without applying for a visa.

The ETIAS application is fully online, with no need to present paperwork in person at an embassy.

It takes just a few minutes to apply, you’ll be notified by email once your application has been approved.