Schengen Area Countries 2025: Complete List with Travel Tips

The Schengen Area represents one of the greatest achievements in European integration, allowing free movement across 29 countries. This comprehensive guide covers every Schengen country with essential travel information.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their mutual borders. Created in 1985, it allows for the free movement of over 400 million people.

Key Schengen Benefits:

• 🚫 No border controls between member countries
• 📱 One visa for all countries
• 🚗 Easy road travel across borders
• ✈️ Simplified air travel within the zone

Complete List of Schengen Countries (2025)

Western Europe (8 countries)

🇦🇹 Austria

• Capital: Vienna
• Population: 9 million
• Best for: Classical music, alpine skiing, historic cities
• Must-visit: Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna
• Travel tip: Excellent train network connects major cities

🇧🇪 Belgium

• Capital: Brussels (EU headquarters)
• Population: 11.6 million
• Best for: Medieval cities, chocolate, beer culture
• Must-visit: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp
• Travel tip: Small country perfect for day trips

🇫🇷 France

• Capital: Paris
• Population: 68 million
• Best for: Art, cuisine, diverse landscapes
• Must-visit: Paris, Provence, Loire Valley, French Alps
• Travel tip: Extensive TGV network for fast travel

🇩🇪 Germany

• Capital: Berlin
• Population: 83 million
• Best for: History, castles, beer gardens, efficiency
• Must-visit: Berlin, Munich, Rhine Valley, Black Forest
• Travel tip: Deutsche Bahn offers excellent rail connections

🇱🇺 Luxembourg

• Capital: Luxembourg City
• Population: 640,000
• Best for: Banking, castles, hiking trails
• Must-visit: Luxembourg City, Vianden Castle
• Travel tip: Free public transport nationwide

🇳🇱 Netherlands

• Capital: Amsterdam
• Population: 17.5 million
• Best for: Canals, tulips, cycling culture, liberal atmosphere
• Must-visit: Amsterdam, Keukenhof, Kinderdijk windmills
• Travel tip: Rent a bike - it's the Dutch way to travel

🇨🇭 Switzerland

• Capital: Bern
• Population: 8.8 million
• Best for: Alpine scenery, precision, outdoor activities
• Must-visit: Matterhorn, Jungfraujoch, Lake Geneva
• Travel tip: Swiss Travel Pass offers great value for tourists

Nordic Countries (4 countries)

🇩🇰 Denmark

• Capital: Copenhagen
• Population: 5.9 million
• Best for: Hygge culture, design, Viking history
• Must-visit: Copenhagen, Lego House in Billund, Ribe
• Travel tip: Expensive country - budget accordingly

🇫🇮 Finland

• Capital: Helsinki
• Population: 5.5 million
• Best for: Northern lights, saunas, pristine nature
• Must-visit: Helsinki, Lapland, Turku
• Travel tip: Summer has midnight sun, winter has polar nights

🇮🇸 Iceland

• Capital: Reykjavik
• Population: 370,000
• Best for: Unique landscapes, hot springs, Northern Lights
• Must-visit: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Ring Road
• Travel tip: Weather can change rapidly - pack layers

🇳🇴 Norway

• Capital: Oslo
• Population: 5.4 million
• Best for: Fjords, Northern Lights, outdoor activities
• Must-visit: Geiranger Fjord, Bergen, Lofoten Islands
• Travel tip: One of the world's most expensive countries

🇸🇪 Sweden

• Capital: Stockholm
• Population: 10.4 million
• Best for: Design, archipelagos, sustainable living
• Must-visit: Stockholm, Gotland, Icehotel, Gothenburg
• Travel tip: Right to roam laws allow wild camping

Southern Europe (6 countries)

🇬🇷 Greece

• Capital: Athens
• Population: 10.7 million
• Best for: Ancient history, islands, Mediterranean cuisine
• Must-visit: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Delphi
• Travel tip: Island hopping requires planning ferry schedules

🇮🇹 Italy

• Capital: Rome
• Population: 59 million
• Best for: Art, history, cuisine, diverse regions
• Must-visit: Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast
• Travel tip: Each region has distinct culture and cuisine

🇲🇹 Malta

• Capital: Valletta
• Population: 520,000
• Best for: History, diving, warm weather year-round
• Must-visit: Valletta, Mdina, Blue Lagoon
• Travel tip: Smallest Schengen country, perfect for short visits

🇵🇹 Portugal

• Capital: Lisbon
• Population: 10.3 million
• Best for: Beaches, port wine, affordable living, history
• Must-visit: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Sintra
• Travel tip: Great value for money compared to other Western Europe

🇪🇸 Spain

• Capital: Madrid
• Population: 47.4 million
• Best for: Beaches, culture, nightlife, diverse regions
• Must-visit: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Canary Islands
• Travel tip: Siesta culture - many shops close mid-afternoon

Central Europe (8 countries)

🇭🇺 Hungary

• Capital: Budapest
• Population: 9.7 million
• Best for: Thermal baths, architecture, affordable travel
• Must-visit: Budapest, Lake Balaton, Eger
• Travel tip: Great value destination with rich culture

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

• Capital: Prague
• Population: 10.7 million
• Best for: Medieval architecture, beer culture, affordable prices
• Must-visit: Prague, Český Krumlov, Karlovy Vary
• Travel tip: Czech beer is among world's best and cheapest

🇸🇰 Slovakia

• Capital: Bratislava
• Population: 5.5 million
• Best for: Castles, mountains, affordable travel
• Must-visit: Bratislava, High Tatras, Spiš Castle
• Travel tip: Often overlooked gem with stunning natural beauty

🇵🇱 Poland

• Capital: Warsaw
• Population: 38 million
• Best for: History, culture, affordable travel, hearty cuisine
• Must-visit: Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw
• Travel tip: Rapidly modernizing with excellent value for money

🇸🇮 Slovenia

• Capital: Ljubljana
• Population: 2.1 million
• Best for: Nature, wine, outdoor activities, small-town charm
• Must-visit: Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Postojna Cave
• Travel tip: Perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts

🇭🇷 Croatia

• Capital: Zagreb
• Population: 3.9 million
• Best for: Adriatic coastline, national parks, Game of Thrones filming
• Must-visit: Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Hvar
• Travel tip: Peak season (July-August) is very crowded

Baltic States (3 countries)

🇪🇪 Estonia

• Capital: Tallinn
• Population: 1.3 million
• Best for: Digital innovation, medieval architecture, nature
• Must-visit: Tallinn Old Town, Tartu, Lahemaa National Park
• Travel tip: Most digitally advanced society in Europe

🇱🇻 Latvia

• Capital: Riga
• Population: 1.9 million
• Best for: Art Nouveau architecture, beaches, forests
• Must-visit: Riga, Sigulda, Jurmala
• Travel tip: Beautiful beaches along the Baltic coast

🇱🇹 Lithuania

• Capital: Vilnius
• Population: 2.8 million
• Best for: Baroque architecture, basketball culture, nature
• Must-visit: Vilnius, Kaunas, Curonian Spit
• Travel tip: Has a unique cultural identity distinct from neighbors

Microstates (1 country)

🇱🇮 Liechtenstein

• Capital: Vaduz
• Population: 39,000
• Best for: Alpine scenery, royal castle, hiking
• Must-visit: Vaduz Castle, Malbun
• Travel tip: Can be visited in half a day from Switzerland

Non-Schengen European Countries

Important to know for travel planning:

EU Countries NOT in Schengen:

• 🇮🇪 Ireland: Separate 90-day rule
• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Joining soon (2024-2025)
• 🇷🇴 Romania: Joining soon (2024-2025)
• 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Separate system

Post-Brexit:

• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 6 months visa-free for most nationalities

Travel Planning by Region

The Grand Tour (Western Europe)

Duration: 3-4 weeks Route: London → Paris → Brussels → Amsterdam → Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Munich → Zurich → Milan → Rome Best for: First-time Europe visitors

Nordic Adventure

Duration: 2-3 weeks Route: Copenhagen → Stockholm → Helsinki → Tallinn → Oslo → Reykjavik Best for: Nature lovers, Northern Lights seekers

Mediterranean Escape

Duration: 2-4 weeks Route: Barcelona → Nice → Rome → Florence → Athens → Malta → Lisbon Best for: Beach lovers, history enthusiasts

Eastern European Discovery

Duration: 2-3 weeks Route: Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Budapest → Krakow → Warsaw → Riga → Tallinn Best for: Budget travelers, culture seekers

Practical Travel Tips

Money Matters

Eurozone Countries (20): Use Euro (€)

• Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain

Non-Euro Schengen Countries:

• 🇨🇭 Switzerland: Swiss Franc (CHF)
• 🇩🇰 Denmark: Danish Krone (DKK)
• 🇭🇺 Hungary: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
• 🇮🇸 Iceland: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
• 🇳🇴 Norway: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• 🇵🇱 Poland: Polish Złoty (PLN)
• 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Czech Koruna (CZK)
• 🇸🇪 Sweden: Swedish Krona (SEK)
• 🇭🇷 Croatia: Euro (adopted 2023)
• 🇷🇴 Romania: Romanian Leu (RON)
• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Transportation

By Air: Budget airlines connect all major cities

• Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air for budget options
• National carriers for comfort and reliability

By Train: Extensive rail networks

• Eurail Pass for flexible travel
• High-speed trains: TGV (France), ICE (Germany), AVE (Spain)
• Night trains making a comeback

By Bus: Budget-friendly option

• FlixBus covers most routes
• Slower but very affordable

By Car: Ultimate flexibility

• International driving permit required
• Vignettes needed for highways in some countries
• Parking can be expensive in city centers

Accommodation Tips

Budget (€20-50/night):

• Hostels, budget hotels, Airbnb

Mid-range (€50-150/night):

• 3-star hotels, nice Airbnb apartments

Luxury (€150+/night):

• 4-5 star hotels, luxury apartments

Language Guide

Most English-Friendly:

• Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland
• Germany (cities), Austria (tourist areas)

Basic Local Phrases Help:

• France, Italy, Spain, Portugal
• Eastern European countries

Essential Phrases:

• Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse me
• Do you speak English?
• Where is...?
• How much does it cost?

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (March-May)

• Mild weather, fewer crowds
• Some attractions may have limited hours
• Great for walking tours

Summer (June-August)

• Peak season, highest prices
• Best weather, longest days
• Very crowded in popular destinations

Fall (September-November)

• Shoulder season, good weather
• Moderate crowds and prices
• Beautiful autumn colors

Winter (December-February)

• Christmas markets in Germanic countries
• Northern Lights in Nordic countries
• Some beach destinations close

Using Our Schengen Calculator

Remember the 90/180 day rule applies to all Schengen countries combined:

• Maximum 90 days in any 180-day period
• Track your cumulative time across all countries
• Use our calculator to plan your perfect European adventure

Budget Planning by Country

Budget-Friendly (€30-50/day):

Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

Mid-Range (€50-100/day):

Portugal, Spain, Greece, Malta, Croatia

Expensive (€100-150/day):

Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands

Very Expensive (€150+/day):

Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland

Conclusion

The Schengen Area offers unparalleled freedom to explore Europe's diverse cultures, landscapes, and histories. With proper planning and our compliance calculator, you can make the most of your 90 days while discovering the continent's treasures.

Planning Your Trip:

1. Choose your must-see countries
2. Plan your route efficiently
3. Use our Schengen Calculator to track your days
4. Book accommodation in advance for summer travel
5. Consider travel insurance for the entire trip

Ready to start planning? Use our free calculator to ensure perfect Schengen compliance for your European adventure.

Last updated: January 2025