List Of Schengen Countries – Schengen Area countries are part of the Schengen Agreement which was established in the year 1995. Named after the Schengen Agreement, The Schengen area signifies a zone where 26 European nations have acknowledged the abolishment of their internal borders for free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, and services.

The Schengen countries share the common rules for controlling the external borders. Out of the 26 countries, 22 countries have fully implemented the Schengen Acquis and the remaining four countries are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

In order to become a Schengen member country, the aspirant country must meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria include the ability of the aspirant country to control the external borders of the Schengen area and also to issue Uniform Schengen Visas.

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Additionally, the aspirant country is also required to collaborate with law enforcement agencies of other Schengen countries. When applying to become a Schengen country, the aspirant country must undergo the Schengen Evaluation.

In Schengen Area, the nationalities from other countries can liberally cross the internal borders of the Schengen countries without any border checks. The Schengen member countries share the common standards for crossing the external borders and provide harmonized entry and short-stay visa norms to the applicants.

The collaboration among the law enforcement agencies of the Schengen countries provides effective strategy for fighting crime through a shared database called the Schengen Information System (SIS).

In order to visit any of the listed countries, the nationalities from other countries are required to obtain a visa prior to the travel.

The visa application requires the applicants to fill in the application form and provide their passport along with passport size photographs, travel health insurance, a cover letter stating the purpose of the travel, flight itinerary, accommodation details, proof of sufficient funds, and necessary documents. Based on the particular category of the visa, the applicant may require submitting additional documents.

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List Of Schengen Countries – The Schengen Area Member States:

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Liechtenstein

The Criteria to Become a Schengen Member Country

Many European countries possess the determination to be part or to join the Schengen Area, but not all essentially can do this instantly. This for the fact that there are some pre-conditions or criteria that countries willing to join must have the capacity, or, need further preparation, to deal with, such as:

• To be able, that on behalf of other Schengen countries, to control the external borders of the Area as well as to issue Uniform Schengen Visas
• To possess the competence that after the abolishment of border controls between Schengen countries, to capably collaborate with other Schengen countries’ law enforcement agencies for a greater level of security
• To be equipped in applying “Schengen Acquis” or Schengen rules for controlling land, sea and air borders, issuing short-stay Schengen visas, police collaboration as well as protection of personal data
• To be ready to join and put in use the Schengen Information System (SIS)

*Note: Before joining the Schengen Area, the aspirant country is prone to a Schengen Evaluation. Afterwards, a member country undergoes a periodical evaluation to ensure the appropriate application of Schengen Acquis.