Schengenruumi

The Schengen Area is a zone in the European mainland where there is no internal border control between the participating countries, making it one of the largest passport-free zones in the world. The area is named after the Schengen Agreements, a series of treaties that were signed in 1985 by five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The Schengen Area currently consists of 26 European countries that have agreed to create a unified internal border regime with four main principles: the abolition of internal border controls, the introduction of a common visa policy, the creation of a common entry and exit system, and the strengthening of police and judicial cooperation.

To take advantage of the passport-free travel within the Schengen Area, travelers must meet certain conditions, such as holding a valid travel document (passport or ID card), having a valid visa, and having sufficient funds for their stay. However, these conditions do not necessarily apply to certain categories of travelers, such as (EU) citizens of countries participating in the Schengen Agreement, or individuals coming from other countries with specialized arrangements.

The Schengen Area has expanded over the years, with the first wave of countries joining in 1995 and the latest expansion in 2008, when Bulgaria and Romania joined the area. The Schengen Area is now the common travel space of the European Union's Schengen zone.