List of Schengen Countries in Europe in 2025 - Complete Guide

Many dream about continent-spanning travel, and one of the biggest conveniences for travellers is the Schengen Agreement. It allows you to move freely across several European countries with a single visa, the Schengen Visa. Anyone planning a holiday, business trip, or study tour to Europe must be aware of the countries that constitute the Schengen zone.

 

In 2025, the Schengen Area remains one of the most important achievements in European cooperation, making travel easier, safer, and more efficient. From the art museums of France to the coastal charm of Greece, to the alpine beauty of Switzerland, the trips your Schengen Visa can take you on are far-reaching.

 

Let's dive into the comprehensive list of the Schengen countries in Europe in 2025, their highlights, and all you need to know before applying for your visa.

What is The Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished internal border controls. That is, when entering any of its member countries, one can visit other countries in the zone without going through further border controls.

It received its name from the small Luxembourgish village of Schengen, where it was first signed in 1985. Since that date, it has expanded to take in most EU member states and a few non-EU countries to make it one of the most convenient travel zones in the world.

To the travellers, this will mean smoother journeys, fewer queues at borders, and freedom to explore several destinations on one visa.

How Many Schengen Countries are There in 2025?

In 2025, there are 29 Schengen countries in Europe: 25 EU member states and four non-EU nations. The last country to enter the Schengen Area was Croatia, which joined in 2023; in 2024, Bulgaria and Romania joined this area, with air and sea borders fully included.

Complete List of Schengen Countries in Europe (2025)

Here’s the updated list of Schengen countries as of 2025:

• Austria

• Belgium

• Croatia

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Italy

• Latvia

• Liechtenstein

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Netherlands

• Norway

• Poland

• Portugal

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Romania (partially joined in 2024, expected to achieve full entry soon)

• Bulgaria (same as Romania)

Countries in the EU But Not Yet Part of the Schengen Area

Although the majority of the EU countries are Schengen Zone members, a few are not. The following countries will still be out of the zone in 2025:

• Ireland - Has opted out of the common visa policy and has its own rules.

• Cyprus - To join within the next few years, but for now still lies outside of the Schengen zone.

   

If you're going to travel to these countries, then you'll need separate entry requirements apart from your Schengen Visa.

Non-EU Countries Which Are Part of Schengen

Interestingly, some non-EU members have joined the Schengen Area because of their close association with the EU. These nations include:

• Iceland

• Norway

• Switzerland

• Liechtenstein

These are countries with beautiful landscapes, good infrastructure, and a high quality of life. Though not members of the European Union, they participate fully in Schengen's system for visas and border-free travel.

Why the Schengen Agreement Matters to Travellers?

Think about the ability to plan a trip through Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin without needing to apply for a different visa every time or to get new stamps every time borders are crossed. That's the magic of Schengen.

The single Schengen Visa enables one to travel through all 29 countries, up to 90 days within a period of 180 days for tourism, business trips, or family visits. It makes European travel easier because a person does not have to seek multiple visas, hence offering the opportunity for a more seamless experience.

Other benefits include:

• Ease of mobility: Once you enter the Schengen zone, cross the borders freely.

• Time-saving: No long immigration queues between member countries.

• Unified rules: Common visa rules for all Schengen members.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa in 2025

Applying for a Schengen Visa in 2025 is pretty straightforward. Here's how to do it:

Choose a country through which to apply:

• Apply in the country where you'll spend the most time or enter first.

• Gather necessary documents: Valid passport with at least two blank pages

• Visa application form completed

• Recent passport-sized photographs

• Proof of accommodation and return tickets

• Travel insurance that covers at least €30,000 in case of a medical emergency

• Proof of financial means: bank statements, sponsorships, etc.

• Book an appointment: Apply at the Embassy/Consulate or the accredited visa center of the country concerned.

• Attend the appointment: Filing the documents, biometrics, and visa application fee.

• Wait for processing: Visa processing generally takes about 15 calendar days, but it may vary.

• Collect your visa: Your Europe trip can be planned once this is approved.

Schengen Visa Fees in 2025

In general, from 2025, it will cost €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6 to 12. The children under 6 are exempt. The fees can vary slightly due to bilateral agreements or service charges from some visa centres.

Schengen Visa: Travel Insurance Requirement

One of the primary requirements to get a Schengen Visa is valid travel insurance. It should cover the following:

• Minimum medical expenses of €30,000

• Repatriation in case of medical emergencies or death

• Coverage across all Schengen countries

This is one requirement that many travellers overlook, but good coverage provides peace of mind in foreign environments where even minor health issues may create unplanned expenses.

Popular destinations among the Schengen countries

Something for every kind of traveller awaits in Europe. Following is an overview of the best destinations that can be visited with a Schengen Visa:

• France: Paris, the city of lights, lures millions with its sophisticated art, fashion, and food.

• Italy: its eternal symbols of culture and romance: Rome, Venice, and Florence.

• Spain: It has everything, beaches, architecture, and a very lively nightlife.

• Switzerland is supposed to be a mix of alpine beauty, luxury trains, and scenic lakes.

• Germany: Offers modern cities with fairy-tale castles.

• Greece: It is the birthplace of democracy, home to beautiful islands, one among them being Santorini.

Each one of the cities mentioned adds to this cultural treasure called Europe.

Tips for First-Time Schengen Travellers

For first-time travelers to the Schengen Area, preparation is key to a smooth and enjoyable journey. Understanding the nuances of your Schengen visa, managing your documents, and planning your itinerary thoughtfully will ensure a hassle-free experience as you explore the diverse countries within the zone. Here are some essential tips to guide you.

• Plan the itinerary carefully: remember that your visa is valid for 90 days in 180, so the trip has to fit into that timeline.

• Keep copies of your documents. It is always wise to have both digital and paper versions with you for your visa, passport, and travel insurance.

• If you plan to leave and re-enter the Schengen Area during your trip, get a multi-entry visa.

• Be informed about the most current travel rules, including biometric requirements and the validity of the visa.

• Make sure your travel insurance covers all the places within the Schengen zone. 

New Developments in Schengen Rules (2025) 

Continuous changes in the Schengen system show efforts to ensure increased security and efficiency in travelling. Some relevant updates in 2025 include: 

• Introduction to ETIAS: European Travel Information and Authorisation System is a procedure in which all visa-exempt countries will be obliged to obtain pre-travel authorisation.

• Digital Visa Process: Most Schengen states have now begun shifting towards an online visa platform, making the process faster and more transparent. 

• Better border management with improved systems ensures safer cross-border travel while efficiency is maintained. 
  
  It also mirrors how the nature of change within the Schengen Area is constantly adapting to global travel trends, but still retains its core value of openness and cooperation.

Travelling Outside of the Schengen Area

Your Schengen Visa allows free movement within member states, but it doesn't automatically grant entry into other European countries outside the zone, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Cyprus. For each of these nations, there are different entry requirements, so plan accordingly if your travel extends beyond Schengen borders. 

Also Read : List of Schengen Countries 2025

Bringing It All Together

The Schengen Area remains one of the most impressive acts of cooperation in Europe, allowing travel across borders to be hassle-free. As 2025 gets underway, it's an exciting time for travellers as 29 Schengen countries in Europe make up this agreement under a single visa. 

Whether you dream about walking the streets of Paris, skiing in the Swiss Alps, or cruising across Amsterdam's canals, it is all possible with the Schengen Visa like never before. And when making those travel plans, securing comprehensive travel insurance that will keep you safe is just as important. Names like Niva Bupa offer international health cover that gives you assurance on your European journey so that you may cherish the memories and not the mishaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. How many Schengen countries are there in Europe in 2025?

As of 2025, there are 29 Schengen countries in Europe, including 25 EU member states and four non-EU nations, which are Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Romania and Bulgaria have partially joined and are expected to gain full entry soon.

    2. Is the United Kingdom part of the Schengen Area?

No, the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area. Travellers need a separate visa to visit the UK, even if they already hold a valid Schengen Visa.

    3. What is the validity of a Schengen Visa?

A short-stay Schengen Visa is valid for up to 90 days within 180 days. However, multiple-entry visas are available for travellers who frequently visit Schengen countries.

    4. Do I need travel insurance to apply for a Schengen Visa?

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for obtaining a Schengen Visa. It must provide minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and be valid across all Schengen countries.

    5. Can I visit non-Schengen countries with a Schengen Visa?

No, a Schengen Visa only allows travel within the Schengen Zone. To visit non-Schengen European countries such as the UK, Ireland, or Cyprus, you’ll need to apply for their respective visas.