Glossary
Schengen area
The Schengen agreements were international agreements designed in particular to eliminate stationary border controls at the internal borders of the participating countries. The term refers to the countries that have joined the Schengen Agreement.
Schengen area
The Schengen Area was also established in Europe to simplify cross-border travel and work. Within the Schengen Area, people can travel freely from one country to another without their documents being checked at the borders. The Schengen Area is not identical to the EU. It encompasses those countries that adhere to the Schengen Agreement, including Switzerland, for example.
The Schengen states are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany Italy, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and the non-EU members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Nationals of the EU states, the EEA states and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area. Members of countries for which the visa requirement was lifted based on bilateral or multilateral agreements, do not require a visa if they do not stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen area and do not engage in gainful activities (see positive third-countries).
All others require a visa to enter the Schengen area.