How to Travel to the Schengen Area in 2025

The Schengen area is a collection of 29 European countries that have abolished internal border checks. This allows people to move freely from country to country without needing to pass through border control. The Schengen area includes popular destinations like France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. 

Whether you're a US citizen, UK citizen, or traveler from another country, understanding the rules of entry and travel within the Schengen zone (such as visa insurance) will help your trip go smoothly, giving you peace of mind while you travel abroad.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know!

What is the Schengen area?

The Schengen area, also referred to as the Schengen zone or Schengen space, is a group of European countries that have agreed to allow free movement of people between their borders without passport/border checks. 

The Schengen Agreement, which every country in the Schengen zone abides by, covers most European Union (EU) countries, as well as some non-EU states like Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. It does not include Ireland and the UK. 

The Schengen area explained:

The Schengen area is a "border-check free" zone, meaning once you enter one of the countries, you can travel to and within the others. This is a huge benefit for travelers who want to explore multiple countries in Europe without worrying about border checks or additional visas every time they move from country to country.

While it’s called a “zone” or an “area”, it isn’t a geographical area. It’s a collection of countries that may or may not share physical borders.

Visa requirements: Do you need a visa to enter the Schengen area?

It depends. Whether or not you need a visa to enter the Schengen area mainly depends on two things: your nationality and the length of your stay. Here's how the rules break down for different nationalities:

How to enter the Schengen area: US citizens:

If you're a US citizen, you can travel to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business without needing a visa. However, starting in 2026, US travelers will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before traveling to the Schengen zone. ETIAS isn't a visa; it's a pre-travel authorization. What does that mean?

ETIAS is, for all intents and purposes, permission to enter the zone.

If you're a US citizen and are planning to spend more than 90 days in the Schengen zone, on the other hand, you need to apply for the appropriate visa - not ETIAS. 

How to enter the Schengen zone: UK citizens:

Since Brexit, UK citizens no longer enjoy free movement across Europe. If you're a UK passport holder, you can travel to the Schengen zone for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. For longer stays or work, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

If you’re traveling to the Schengen area without a visa (such as for a short stay), you will need to apply for travel authorization with ETIAS from 2026 on.

How to enter the Schengen for other nationalities:

If you’re from a country that requires a visa to enter the Schengen area, like India or China, you need to apply for a Schengen visa before arriving. The application process involves providing your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, Schengen travel insurance, travel plans, and more.

You can apply for a Schengen visa through a visa application center for the country you’ll arrive in first. If there isn’t a visa center in your area, you may need to apply through a consulate or embassy’s consular section.

How to get a travel visa to Europe

For the Schengen zone specifically, You can apply for a Schengen visa at a trusted visa application center. If you plan to visit multiple countries, apply at the consulate of the country you’ll be arriving in first. 

To get a visa, you will need to provide documents like your travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds, and more.

What do you need to enter the Schengen area?

Some travelers only require a passport with ETIAS approval (from 2026 on), while others require a Schengen visa. 

When applying for a Schengen visa, travelers must present the following documents (and in some cases, additional documents as well):

• A valid passport (valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure from the zone).
• Proof of return or onward travel (such as a round-trip ticket).
• Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, invitation letter, etc.).
• Sufficient financial means to cover your stay (bank statements, etc.).
• Travel insurance that covers medical expenses up to 30,000 EUR (this is mandatory for Schengen visa applicants).

What to expect in the Schengen zone: passport control and border crossing

One of the benefits of traveling in the Schengen area is that you don’t have to go through passport control every time you move from one country to another! Once you’ve entered the zone, you’re typically free to travel within the 29 member states without additional checks

Smooth travel is one of the greatest benefits of traveling to the Schengen area.

It is important to keep in mind that in some specific cases, travel authorization can vary. Always look at your specific visa’s permissions when planning your travels. 

Entry points: Can you enter the Schengen area from any country?

It depends.

If you do not require a visa, yes, as long as you have the necessary documents (your passport and ETIAS authorization, once launched).

You can enter the Schengen zone from any of its member countries, but you must present the necessary documents (passport, travel insurance, etc.) at your first point of entry.

If you’re flying into the area, your first destination is where immigration control will take place.

If you're traveling to the Schengen area on a Schengen visa, you must enter the Schengen zone through the country of your approved visa.

Multi-entry Schengen visas: what you should know

If you’re planning multiple trips to the Schengen area and you need a visa, you might need to apply for a multi-entry visa. Multi-entry visas allow you to enter and exit the area multiple times within a specific period (the validity of your visa). This visa is useful for travelers who might need more flexibility.

If you’re from a country with a visa-waiver agreement (the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and more), you can exit and enter the Schengen area as much you’d like. Remember, though, you cannot stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any given 180-day period. 

Schengen visa fees and costs

There isn’t a fee to enter the Schengen zone, but there are travel requirements that all travelers need to consider – and these have associated fees attached, such as visas and ETIAS (once operational).

If you don’t need a visa to enter the Schengen area:

 From 2026 on, you will be required to apply for travel authorization to visit the Schengen area. This authorization (called ETIAS) does have a 7 euro fee at the time of application. The entire process is online and quite straightforward. This will impact US and UK citizens, as well as others. In this case, yes, there is a fee to enter.

If you need a visa to enter the Schengen area: 

You will need to apply for the appropriate visa before traveling to the Schengen zone. At the time of application, you’ll need to pay a visa application fee and any applicable service fees (if you're applying at a visa application center, for example, which is often required).

Travelers from countries with visa requirements should check the visa processor or embassy website for specific details.

Can you travel to other Schengen countries with a single-entry visa?

A single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen area once. After leaving, you won’t be able to return without getting another visa. However, while you're inside the Schengen zone, you can freely travel between member countries in most cases.

How to travel to Schengen countries: FAQS