Schengen Zone: How It Differs from the EU, Which Countries Are Included, and How to Calculate Your Stay

In 2025, the Schengen Zone represents a unified area of 29 European countries where internal border checks have been eliminated, and uniform rules for short-term entry apply.

It’s crucial to distinguish between the Schengen Zone and the European Union: not all EU countries are part of Schengen (e.g., Ireland), and Schengen includes non-EU states (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein).

We’ll explain what the Schengen Zone and the EU are, highlight their differences, and list the countries currently part of both.

What Is the Schengen Zone and How Does It Differ from the EU?

The Schengen Zone is a region of free movement in Europe where internal border controls are eliminated, and uniform visa regulations apply. In 2025, it includes not only EU member states but also non-EU countries like Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

The European Union (EU), on the other hand, is a supranational political and economic union with its own legislative bodies and institutions. Its member states share a common market, the euro as a primary currency, and unified laws in various areas.
In other words, EU membership does not equate to Schengen membership. The EU regulates the politics and economies of its member states, while Schengen governs only border-crossing and short-term stay rules.

Core principles of Schengen Zone countries:

• No internal borders: free movement between countries without passport checks.
• Unified visa rules: short-term Category C visas are valid across all member countries.
• Common external borders: standardized entry rules for citizens of third countries.
• Security cooperation: information sharing via the Schengen Information System (SIS).

Which countries are part of Schengen/EU:

Which Countries Are Part of the Schengen Zone in 2025?

Until recently, the Schengen Zone comprised 27 countries, but Bulgaria and Romania have officially joined. The current list of countries is as follows:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland (non-EU)
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein (non-EU)
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway (non-EU)
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland (non-EU)

New Candidate Countries and Changes

By 2025, the Schengen Zone’s expansion was completed with the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania. The next potential candidate is Cyprus. Already an EU member, Cyprus aims to adopt Schengen visa rules by 2025 but faces challenges with illegal crossings along the «Green Line,» a buffer zone dividing Nicosia into two parts: one controlled by the Republic of Cyprus and the other by Northern Cyprus. The EU acknowledges these complexities, so no exact entry date has been set.

As for Western Balkan countries — Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina — they are either candidates or potential candidates for EU membership. However, their integration into Schengen will only be possible after joining the EU and meeting technical criteria (e.g., external border control, integration into the Schengen Information System).

Entry and Stay in the Schengen Zone

For citizens of third countries traveling with a Category C visa or visa-free, the universal «90/180» rule applies: you may stay in the Schengen Zone for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

Key nuances:

• The 180-day period is a «rolling window»: at entry or exit, authorities check how many days you’ve used in the previous 180 days.
• The entry and exit days are included in the calculation.
• Exceeding the limit can result in fines, visa cancellation, or entry bans.

The best way to calculate your stay is using the EU’s official Short-stay Calculator.
For example, if you stayed for 20 days from January 9 to January 29, 2025, and then for 30 days from March 15 to April 13, 2025, your total stay as of April 13, 2025, would be 50 days within the last 180 days. This means you have 40 days remaining until the current 180-day period ends on July 9, 2025.

Future changes:

• Starting October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) began rolling out in Schengen countries, gradually replacing passport stamps. Upon first entry, third-country travelers’ biometric data (photo and fingerprints) are recorded, and the system automatically tracks border crossings and compliance with the 90/180 rule. The transition will be phased, with full implementation by April 2026.
• From the fourth quarter of 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will launch for citizens of visa-free countries (e.g., the USA, Canada, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and about 60 others).

How ETIAS works:

• Before travel, complete an online application via the EU’s official website or app.
• Pay a €20 fee (exempt for children under 18 and adults over 70).
• Receive an electronic authorization valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires.
• Airlines and border officials will verify ETIAS, similar to current visa checks.

ETIAS is not a visa but an electronic entry permit for those previously eligible for visa-free travel. It does not apply to citizens of visa-required countries.

Differences Between Schengen Visas and EU National Visas

There is a distinction between Schengen and national EU visas. The short-term Schengen Category C visa is for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period across the 29 Schengen countries, suitable for tourism, business meetings, family visits, or short-term courses. It can be single- or multiple-entry but follows the «90/180» rule and does not permit work or long-term residence.

For purposes like studying, working, or relocating, a national Category D visa is required, issued by a specific EU country. This visa allows stays longer than 90 days and permits the declared activity (e.g., work or study) only in the issuing country. Holders of a Category D visa or residence permit can travel freely within other Schengen countries but are still subject to the 90/180-day rule for those travels.

Thus, the key difference lies in purpose: Schengen Category C visas are for short-term visits, while national Category D visas and residence permits are for long-term stays in a specific EU country. A common mistake travelers make is assuming a Category C visa allows living or working in Europe, when in fact a national visa is required.