The Schengen Area is one of Europe’s most significant achievements in cross-border cooperation, allowing travel between 29 participating countries without routine internal border checks. Covering much of continental Europe, it provides greater convenience for international travellers, businesses and residents, including qualifying non-EU nationals who hold valid residence permits in participating countries.
As of November 2026, the Schengen Area comprises 25 European Union member states and four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
For international investors considering European residency options, countries such as Malta, Portugal and Greece offer regulated residence programmes that can provide access to the wider Schengen Area, subject to applicable travel conditions.
What Is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have agreed to remove routine passport and immigration checks at their shared internal borders, while applying common rules for external border management and short-term travel.
The Schengen Agreement was originally signed on 14 June 1985 by five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It takes its name from the village of Schengen in Luxembourg, where the agreement was signed.
Over the following decades, the initiative expanded to include additional European countries, becoming one of the largest areas of free movement in the world.
Today, the Schengen Area covers more than four million square kilometres and is home to over 450 million people.
According to the Council of the European Union, approximately 3.5 million people cross internal Schengen borders every day for work, education and other activities.
The Schengen framework supports:
- Travel between participating countries without routine internal border checks.
- Common rules governing short-term visas and external border controls.
- Greater convenience for business travel, tourism and cross-border activities.
- Closer cooperation between national border authorities and law enforcement agencies.
- Improved connectivity between European countries and markets.
Although routine internal border checks have been removed, participating countries may temporarily reintroduce controls under specific circumstances.
Which 29 Countries Are in the Schengen Area?
As of November 2026, the following 29 countries are members of the Schengen Area.
Four non-EU Schengen countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — participate in the common travel area despite not being members of the European Union.
Which Countries Joined Schengen Most Recently?
Bulgaria and Romania became the latest countries to achieve full Schengen membership on 1 January 2025.
Their accession followed a phased process, with internal air and sea border checks removed on 31 March 2024, followed by the removal of internal land border checks on 1 January 2025.
Croatia had previously joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2023.
These developments expanded the area to its current 29 participating countries, further improving travel connections across Europe.
Are All European Union Countries Part of Schengen?
Although the Schengen Area is closely associated with the European Union, the two are not identical.
Of the EU’s 27 member states, 25 currently participate fully in the Schengen Area.
Two EU countries are not yet full participants:
- Cyprus: The country participates in aspects of Schengen cooperation, but internal border controls have not yet been lifted. Its integration process remains ongoing.
- Ireland: Ireland has an opt-out from the Schengen arrangements and maintains its own visa and border policies.
At the same time, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland participate in Schengen despite not being EU member states.
This distinction is important for international travellers and investors, as EU membership and Schengen participation provide different rights and obligations.
What Is the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule?
One of the most important aspects of the Schengen framework is the rule governing short-term stays.
Under the standard Schengen short-stay rules, eligible non-EU nationals may spend up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Area.
This means:
- Travellers may visit multiple Schengen countries during the permitted period.
- The 90-day allowance applies collectively across the Schengen Area, rather than separately to each country.
- The 180-day period is calculated on a rolling basis.
- Both the day of entry and the day of departure generally count towards the permitted stay.
For example, an eligible traveller could spend 30 days in France, 30 days in Germany and 30 days in Italy, reaching the maximum 90-day allowance.
Travelling to another Schengen country does not reset the calculation.
The rule is particularly relevant to non-EU nationals who frequently travel between European destinations for business, leisure or family visits.
For a more detailed explanation, including practical examples and how to calculate permitted travel days, read our article: Mastering the Schengen 90/180 Rule: Your Essential Guide to EU Travel.
How Does Schengen Access Benefit European Residence Permit Holders?
For non-EU nationals who obtain a valid residence permit from a Schengen member state, one of the practical benefits is the ability to undertake short visits to other participating countries without applying for a separate Schengen visa.
For example, an eligible non-EU national holding a valid residence permit issued by Malta, Portugal or Greece can generally travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
This can provide greater convenience for individuals who regularly travel within Europe.
However, a residence permit issued by one Schengen country does not automatically grant the right to reside, work or establish a business in another member state. Additional national authorisations may be required.
Travellers must also hold valid travel documents and comply with applicable entry conditions.
European Residency by Investment: Malta, Portugal and Greece
For international investors and families considering European residency, Malta, Portugal and Greece offer established programmes that provide qualifying non-EU nationals with residence permits and associated Schengen travel benefits. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) provides a pathway to permanent residence, while the Portugal Golden Visa and Greece Golden Visa offer renewable residence permits through qualifying investments. Holders of valid residence permits issued under these programmes can travel visa-free to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to applicable conditions. Each programme has different eligibility criteria, investment requirements and residence conditions.
How Vertex Alliance Can Assist
Vertex Alliance provides professional advisory services to international investors, businesses and families exploring European residency and investment opportunities.
Our team can assist with understanding the eligibility criteria, application requirements and key considerations associated with residency programmes in Malta, Portugal and Greece.
We also provide corporate, tax, accounting and property-related advisory services to support clients with their wider international planning needs.
For further information about European residency options and the benefits of Schengen access, contact Vertex Alliance at info@valtd.com.
