How Countries Can Join the Schengen Zone: A Complete Guide

The Schengen zone is a key part of Europe's travel and security infrastructure, offering seamless movement across borders for millions of people each year – to a variety of countries. 

You may have noticed that new countries occasionally become members of the Schengen area…but how does a country become part of this zone? What are the requirements for Schengen membership, and are there any countries eyeing future membership? 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the criteria, the process, and the benefits of countries joining the Schengen zone.

What is a Schengen country?

A Schengen country is a country in Europe that is also a member of the Schengen zone. For participating countries, internal border checks have been abolished for the unrestricted movement of people from one Schengen country to another. 

These countries apply a common visa policy, external border control measures, and share a wide range of security information to ensure the safety of their citizens, visitors, and anyone passing through. 

Being a Schengen country means that while you still have national borders, there isn't active border control between member states.

This means that as a traveler, you can move freely between these countries with one visa – and without having to pass through border control.

What is the Schengen zone?

The Schengen zone covers many European countries, allowing passport-free travel between them. 

For citizens and visitors alike, this is a huge benefit, making it easier to travel across multiple countries without the hassle of multiple visa applications, permissions, or border checks. 

Today, there are 29 countries in the Schengen zone. Oftentimes the Schengen zone and the EU are confused. It’s helpful to know that the Schengen zone is not the same thing as the European Union – countries like Norway and Iceland are in the Schengen zone, but not in the EU for example, while others like Ireland are in the EU but not in Schengen.

When it comes to what this means for travelers, a Schengen visa doesn’t allow you to travel freely throughout all of the countries in the EU – only the ones that are also Schengen countries. You’ll be happy to know that the majority of them are.

What are the requirements that countries in the Schengen zone must meet?

Countries looking to join the Schengen zone have to meet a stringent set of requirements. These rules ensure that both the citizens of the new member and those of the existing Schengen countries can enjoy the benefits of open borders without sacrificing security.

The Schengen Information System (SIS)

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a vital database that allows countries to share security information, from criminal records to missing persons to stolen vehicles. Joining the Schengen area requires a country to implement and maintain robust IT systems to interact with the SIS, ensuring seamless data sharing for law enforcement and border control across all Schengen countries.

External border policies

Schengen countries need to secure their external borders, meaning any country applying to join must prove it has strong border controls and security measures in place. 

This includes having the infrastructure, technology, and personnel to handle the increased responsibility of monitoring borders for both itself and the entire Schengen area. It's a big responsibility!

Law enforcement cooperation

Cooperation between national police forces and other law enforcement agencies is essential in the Schengen zone. Countries that would like to join the Schengen area must prove that they are capable of sharing information and coordinating efforts, and can act swiftly in response to cross-border crime, ensuring safety and security within the zone for everyone.

Visa issuance requirements

Another critical aspect of Schengen membership is adopting a common visa policy. This means a country must issue Schengen visas that comply with the same standards as other Schengen countries, allowing short-term visitors to move freely within the entire zone once they’ve been admitted.

Protection of personal data

To meet Schengen requirements, countries must show they have adequate protection for personal data, particularly law enforcement and security. Strong data privacy laws must be in place to safeguard the information shared between member states, which is crucial for maintaining trust and cooperation. 

An evaluation process

Countries don’t become Schengen members overnight. There is a rigorous evaluation process in place where each aspiring country is assessed based on its compliance with the Schengen rules. The evaluations are performed by existing Schengen countries and experts from the European Union.

Unanimous approval

Finally, becoming a Schengen country requires unanimous approval from all existing Schengen members. This ensures that new members have demonstrated they are fully capable of upholding the same high standards for border security, law enforcement, and data protection.

How often do new countries join the Schengen Zone?

While the Schengen zone has grown over the years, new additions are rather infrequent. Expansion typically occurs when European countries meet the criteria and there is broad political will for further integration. The last significant expansion was in 2024 when Romania and Bulgaria joined. Before that, it was in 2023 with Croatia. 

Despite the infrequency, more countries are showing interest in joining, and are working to meet the requirements.

Which countries are currently in the Schengen zone?

As of today, the Schengen zone includes 29 countries. Here is the full list of Schengen countries:

• 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

Which countries want to join the Schengen area?

Several European nations are currently working towards joining the Schengen zone. Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia are the most recent candidates to have joined. Other countries, like Cyprus and Montenegro, have also expressed interest.

Key takeaways for countries wanting to join the Schengen area

• Joining the Schengen zone is a rigorous process that involves meeting strict requirements.
• Schengen zone countries must put SIS into place (a technological system to pass sensitive information securely from country to country).
• Strong border control and security measures must be in place that comply with the Schengen standards.
• Local law enforcement must cooperate.
• Countries must prove they have adequate protection for the personal data of travelers entering and exiting the zone.
• Countries must put Schengen visa policies into place.
• Countries applying to be members of the Schengen area must be evaluated and unanimously approved by each existing member in the zone.
• The Schengen zone isn’t the same thing as the European Union.