Since the signing of the Schengen Agreement, traveling has become much more convenient. As is known, the countries of this agreement abolished passport control during the crossing of borders within the Schengen zone. Before planning a vacation, it is worth reading the list of Schengen countries and some nuances.
Countries of the Schengen area
To date, there are twenty-five countries in the Schengen zone. First, let's look at the list of Schengen countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Hungary
- Germany
- Greece
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Spain (Andorra enters automatically with it)
- Italy (with it automatically enters San Marino)
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands (Holland)
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Finland
- France (with it automatically enters Monaco)
- Czech Republic
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Estonia
Countries of the Schengen Union
It is worthwhile to understand that there is a difference between the countries that are members of the Schengen zone and the countries that signed the agreement.
For example, Ireland did not abolish passport control with Great Britain, but signed the agreement. And Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus are just preparing to cancel it. As you know, there are small difficulties with northern Cyprus, because the entry of Cyprus into the Schengen may be postponed indefinitely. And Bulgaria and Romania are still detaining Germany and the Netherlands.
In 2013, Croatia joined the European Union. At the same time, she did not enter the Schengen zone. It is worth remembering that the national visa of Croatia and the Schengen visa are different things. But you can enter the country on the Schengen visa until December 3, 2013. Entry into the Schengen zone is expected around the end of 2015. Thus, the list of countries included in the Schengen, since 2010 has not changed.
It turns out that citizens of third countries get a visa to one of the Schengen countries in 2013 and can visit all other signatory states on the basis of this visa.
Schengen countries can visit:
- citizens of any of the Schengen countries;
- Persons who have a visa of any Schengen country;
- citizens of third countries, where there is a visa-free regime with any of the states of the Schengen agreement.
In other cases in Europe without a Schengen visa you can get on the condition that there is a visa-free regime. For citizens of states that are not members of the Schengen list, there are certain restrictions.
For example, a visa must be requested only from the country that will become your main place of residence. And you are obliged to enter the countries from the Schengen list through the country that issued you a visa. You must be prepared for some difficulties if you have to get there by transit. The customs inspection will have to explain in detail and clearly to the customs officials the purpose of your trip.
It is very important before the trip to see again which countries Schengen is in need of. The fact is that all infringements fall into a single computer base. If there are violations at the passport
Registration of visa to the Schengen countries 2013
To obtain a visa, you must apply to the embassy of the country that will be the main place of residence. The process of obtaining and necessary documents for citizens of different countries is slightly different, but there are basic requirements.
You must fill out the Schengen form, provide all documents specifying the purpose of the visit and confirming your identity, your financial situation.