1 Which countries are part of the Schengen Area?
The Schengen area covers 26 countries ("Schengen States") without border controls
between them. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. These countries apply the
common visa policy for short stay visas.
2 What is a Schengen visa?
A transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a
duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 day period ("short stay visa"),
A transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen
States ("airport transit visa").
Generally the visa issued allows you to visit any of the Schengen States during the same
trip, within the validity of the visa.
A Schengen visa is not appropriate, if you wish to remain in a Schengen country for
longer than 90 days, take up employment or establish a business, trade or profession.
3 Do I need a visa to enter a Schengen State?
To find out if you need a visa to enter a Schengen State, you can consult the overview
on our website.
4 I am a family member of an EU-citizen. Are the standard
requirements applicable to me?
Family members of EU citizens who have exercised their right of free movement
(meaning that the EU citizen resides in or travels to a Member State other than his/her
country of origin) benefit from certain procedural facilitations. The basic criteria to be
fulfilled are the following:
• the EU citizen has exercised his/her right of free movement
• the family member (applicant) belongs to one of the categories covered by Directive
2004/38/EC
• the family member (applicant) accompanies the EU citizen or joins him/her in the
Schengen State of destination.
For further information, consult our website, click here.