Schengenländer

The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished all types of passport and other border control at their mutual borders. This area functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. The agreement was named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement signed in Schengen, Luxembourg.

The Schengen Area was established to facilitate the free movement of people and goods across internal borders. This means that individuals, regardless of their nationality, can travel freely within the Schengen Area without undergoing passport checks at internal border crossings. This concept is often referred to as "internal borderless travel."

While the Schengen Area aims to create a borderless zone, it is important to note that checks are still carried out at external borders, which are the borders with non-Schengen countries. The common visa policy allows citizens of many countries to enter the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) with a single Schengen visa.

Membership in the Schengen Area is not automatic for all European Union (EU) member states. Some EU countries are not part of Schengen, and conversely, some non-EU countries are part of the Schengen Area. The core principle of the Schengen Area is to enhance cooperation and integration among its member states, particularly in the areas of justice and home affairs. It is a significant achievement in European integration.