nonSchengen

Non-Schengen refers to states, territories, or parts of states that are not part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a zone in which internal border checks have been largely abolished, and a common framework governs external borders and visa rules for travelers entering from outside the area. Non-Schengen jurisdictions maintain their own border controls and visa regimes, and may apply different rules to travelers from Schengen and non-Schengen states.

Non-Schengen can include some EU members that have not joined Schengen, as well as non-EU countries. The status of a jurisdiction can change if it decides to join or leave the Schengen Area, or if political or security considerations lead to adjustments in border policy and visa rules.

For travelers, the distinction matters because border procedures and visa requirements may differ between Schengen and non-Schengen areas. A visa issued for travel within Schengen states typically does not grant entry to non-Schengen areas, and a non-Schengen visa does not automatically authorize travel within the Schengen Area. Some travelers may need separate visas or permits for each regime, and border controls at external borders are managed according to the jurisdiction’s own policies.

Policy in this area is shaped by a mix of regional cooperation, bilateral agreements, and national law. The non-Schengen designation is used by officials and travelers to describe the parts of Europe and nearby regions that operate outside the common Schengen border regime, even as some countries evolve toward closer integration or alignment with Schengen rules.