If you’re searching for the List of 29 Schengen Countries (or the full List of Schengen Countries), trust me — you’re not alone.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stood in those long VFS lines — documents in one hand, heart quietly thumping, waiting for my token to flash on the screen. And every single time, someone in the queue asks, “Bhai… Schengen countries 26 hain ya 27?”
So let’s settle it once and for all.
Yes, the Schengen Area now officially has 29 countries.
And if you’re planning a Europe trip from India, knowing these 29 countries affects everything — your visa route, your itinerary, and sometimes even your approval chances.
This guide gives you the full list, simple explanations, real travel experiences, and all the important rules you must know.
Table of Contents
What Is the Schengen Area? Meaning, Map & Why the Schengen Countries List Matters in 2025
The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that has removed internal borders. Meaning: Enter through one country (say Germany) → freely travel to all others (France, Austria, Netherlands, Italy) without new immigration checks.
It’s like entering one big country with 29 different cultures.
The first time I walked from Germany into Luxembourg without even noticing the border… it felt magical.
Schengen vs European Union: What’s the Difference for Travellers?
| Topic | European Union (EU) | Schengen Area |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A political and economic union of 27 countries | A borderless travel zone of 29 countries |
| Purpose | Trade, laws, economy, and citizenship rights | Easy travel without internal border checks |
| Who benefits most | EU citizens (freedom to live, work, study) | All travellers, including tourists with Schengen visa |
| Visa rules | EU membership does not decide visa rules | One Schengen visa allows travel to all 29 countries |
| Internal borders | Some borders may still have checks | No internal passport checks once inside |
| Includes non-EU members? | No, only EU countries | Yes (e.g., Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) |
| Countries that are EU but not Schengen | Ireland, Cyprus | — |
| Countries that are Schengen but not EU | — | Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein |
| UK status | Not EU (after Brexit) | Not Schengen |
| Simple meaning | A group that shares rules & economy | A zone that removes borders for hassle-free travel |
Full Schengen Countries List: All 29 Schengen Countries (By Region)
🇪🇺 Western/Central Europe
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary
☀️ Southern Europe
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia
❄️ Nordic + Scandinavia
Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland
🌲 Baltic
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
🆕 New Members
Bulgaria, Romania
🏔 Microstate
Liechtenstein
Bulgaria and Romania recently joined, bringing the total to 29.
Schengen Countries List With Capitals & EU Membership
| Country | Capital | EU Member? | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Vienna | Yes | Central Europe |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Brussels | Yes | Western Europe |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Sofia | Yes | New Member |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | Zagreb | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Prague | Yes | Central Europe |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Copenhagen | Yes | Nordic |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | Tallinn | Yes | Baltic |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Helsinki | Yes | Nordic |
| 🇫🇷 France | Paris | Yes | Western Europe |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Berlin | Yes | Western/Central |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Athens | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Budapest | Yes | Central Europe |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Reykjavík | No | Nordic |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Rome | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | Riga | Yes | Baltic |
| 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Vaduz | No | Microstate |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Vilnius | Yes | Baltic |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Luxembourg | Yes | Western Europe |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Valletta | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Amsterdam | Yes | Western Europe |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Oslo | No | Nordic |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Warsaw | Yes | Central Europe |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Lisbon | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Bucharest | Yes | New Member |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Bratislava | Yes | Central Europe |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Ljubljana | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Madrid | Yes | Southern Europe |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Stockholm | Yes | Nordic |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Bern | No | Western Europe |
A–Z Schengen Country List: 29 Schengen Countries (Alphabetical 2025)
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇧🇪 Belgium
- 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
- 🇭🇷 Croatia
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- 🇪🇪 Estonia
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- 🇮🇸 Iceland
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇱🇻 Latvia
- 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
- 🇱🇹 Lithuania
- 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
- 🇲🇹 Malta
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- 🇵🇱 Poland
- 🇵🇹 Portugal
- 🇷🇴 Romania
- 🇸🇰 Slovakia
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
Best Schengen Country to Apply From for Indian Passport Holders
Apply to the country where you will stay the longest. If the stay duration is the same in all countries → apply to your first entry country
If you are preparing for your visa, check the step-by-step guide here: How to Apply Schengen Visa from India (2025 Guide + Checklist)
Years ago, I made the mistake of applying through Italy even though my longest stay was in Austria. Result: I got a very short-duration visa, almost like a warning.
Since then, I follow the rule strictly — and approvals have been smoother.
Easiest Schengen Countries for Indian Citizens (Fast Approvals)
Based on experience and applicant patterns:
🇪🇸 Spain → Friendly and practical
🇮🇹 Italy → Decent approvals but often short visas
🇭🇷 Croatia → Smooth after joining Schengen
🇭🇺 Hungary → Good for first-timers
🇨🇿 Czech Republic → Balanced and predictable
🇫🇷 France → Strict during peak season
🇩🇪 Germany → Very strict; strong documentation needed
Your documents matter more than the embassy.
If you’re preparing documents, refer to Documents Required for Schengen Visa (2025 Updated Checklist + PDF) for a smooth file.
What You Can Do With a Schengen Visa: Travel, Entry Rules & Benefits
A Schengen short-stay visa (Type-C) gives you:
- Entry to any one Schengen country
- Free movement across all 29 countries
- Stay up to 90 days in 180 days
- Train/road travel without border checks
- Ideal for multi-country itineraries
This is why the Schengen visa is considered one of the most powerful tourist visas.
List of Non-Schengen European Countries
Just to avoid confusion:
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (UK)
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇷🇸 Serbia
🇲🇪 Montenegro
🇦🇱 Albania
🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina
🇦🇲 Armenia
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇨🇾 Cyprus (EU but not Schengen)
Your Schengen visa does not work here.
Key Schengen Visa Rules (90/180 Rule, Entry Rules & Documents)
- You must follow the 90/180 rule
- Your first entry should match your visa plan
- Carry your passport even on intra-Schengen trains
- Overstaying can cause travel bans
- Border officers may still ask for:
- return flight
- hotel bookings
- travel insurance
- proof of funds (Make sure your finances and bank balance are clear — guidance here: Proof of Funds for Schengen Visa.)
Faq’s
How many Schengen countries are there in 2025?
29 countries.
Do I need separate visas for each?
No, one visa covers all.
Is Switzerland in the Schengen Area?
Yes
Is the UK part of Schengen?
No
Are Romania and Bulgaria Schengen?
Yes, they joined recently.
Can immigration still ask questions even with a visa?
Yes, they can.
If you need to prepare a strong visa cover letter, see How to Write a Perfect Schengen Visa Cover Letter from India and if your employer needs to sign a verification, check No Objection Letter for Schengen Visa from India [Free Samples + Format]
Final Words
The Schengen Area now has 29 countries, making Europe travel smoother, easier, and more flexible than ever.
Plan properly, follow visa rules, keep documentation clean — and once you enter your first Schengen country without any border checks ahead, you’ll smile and think:
“Yaar… this Schengen system is brilliant.”
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