Schengen Visa: 71 Countries Beyond Europe (2026)

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 29 European countries that have abolished passport controls at their mutual borders. Created by the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985, it allows free movement of people within the zone.

Recent expansion: Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, bringing the total to 29 member countries. Source: EU Home Affairs.

The 29 Schengen countries include 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). Notably, two EU members (Cyprus and Ireland) are not part of Schengen and maintain their own border controls. See the Countries List section below for the full list of Schengen states and all non-Schengen destinations that accept your Schengen visa.

Schengen visa types (A, C, D)

Type A (Airport Transit Visa) is the most restrictive. It exists solely for passengers transiting through Schengen airports without entering the country. If you're changing planes in Frankfurt or Amsterdam en route to a non-Schengen destination, this might be what you need—but it won't help you with third-country entry. For that, you need a Type C or Type D visa.

Type C (Short-Stay Visa) is the workhorse that most travelers apply for. Valid for tourism, business visits, or family trips lasting up to 90 days within any 180-day period, Type C visas can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry permits.

Here's the critical detail: for third-country benefits, multiple-entry Type C visas are what you need. Single-entry visas won't cut it for most destinations recognizing Schengen visas. Fees are standardized under the EU Visa Code, though they vary by nationality and age—always check the fee schedule for your specific situation.

Type D (Long-Stay Visa) is for those planning to settle in a Schengen country for more than 90 days—students, workers, or those joining family members. Type D visas function like residence permits for entry purposes and are widely recognized by third countries, often with fewer restrictions than Type C visas.

Schengen Residence Permit opens the most doors with the fewest restrictions. Long-term Schengen residence opens the most doors with the fewest restrictions. It's the most widely accepted credential for third-country entry, and immigration officers recognize it as proof of serious vetting.

Schengen 90/180 rule (stay calculator)

If there's one thing that trips up Schengen visa holders, it's this: the 90/180-day rule. With a Type C visa, you can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area within any rolling 180-day window. Notice the word "rolling"—that's the part people miss.

This isn't about calendar months or neat quarterly divisions. Every single day counts as part of a moving 180-day window looking backward from your current date. So if you enter on January 1 and stay for 60 days until March 1, you've used 60 of your 90 allotted days. You can return and stay another 30 days anytime within those rolling 180 days. But once you've exhausted those 90 days, you must wait until enough time passes in the backward-looking 180-day window to regain available days.

Track your stay limit with a tool like visa-calculator.com. For official rule details, check EU Home Affairs.

Why other countries accept your Schengen visa

Countries like Albania, Serbia, Georgia, and Turkey recognize Schengen visas for their own entry, even though they're not in the Schengen Area. These arrangements are either formal reciprocity agreements or unilateral decisions to attract tourists — and they mean your Schengen visa grants access well beyond Europe.

Step 1: Choose the right consulate

According to EU guidelines, you must apply at the consulate of:

• The country that is your main destination (longest stay), OR
• Your first point of entry if visiting multiple countries with equal stays

Step 2: Schengen visa requirements checklist

Per EU Visa Code requirements:

• Valid passport: At least 3 months validity beyond your planned departure date, with at least 2 blank pages for stamps
• Completed application form: Fill it out accurately and sign it— inconsistencies are red flags
• 2 recent passport photos: Must meet ICAO standards (no smiling, plain background)
• Flight reservation: Don't buy the actual ticket yet! A reservation or itinerary is sufficient
• Accommodation proof: Hotel bookings, Airbnb reservations, or an invitation letter from your host
• Travel insurance: Minimum €30,000 medical coverage valid across all Schengen states for your entire stay (as mandated by the EU Visa Code)
• Bank statements: 3-6 months showing consistent funds sufficient for your trip
• Employment letter or business registration: Proof you have ties to your home country
• Cover letter: A brief explanation of your trip purpose and itinerary

Step 3: Submit your application

Applications can be submitted up to 6 months before travel (per EU guidance), but apply well in advance of departure. Submit at the consulate, embassy, or authorized visa application center (like VFS Global). Fingerprints will be collected when submitting your application.

Step 4: Pay fees

Visa Code Article 16 sets the standard short-stay fee at €90 for adults (€45 for children aged 6–11; free under 6). Certain nationalities pay reduced fees under bilateral EU agreements — check the EU fee schedule for your passport. External visa application center service fees (VFS Global, TLScontact) apply on top and vary by country.

A valid Schengen visa unlocks travel to two tiers of destinations: (a) the 29 Schengen member states themselves, where your visa is issued and valid, and (b) additional non-Schengen countries that accept Schengen visas or residence permits for simplified entry. Below is a comprehensive list of both.

Important: Entry rules change frequently. Not all nationalities receive the same benefits, and some countries have passport-specific restrictions. Always verify current requirements with the destination country's embassy or official immigration website before traveling.

The 29 Schengen member states

Your Schengen visa is valid for travel across all 29 member states. You can move freely between them without additional border checks, subject to the 90/180-day rule.

• 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

Non-Schengen countries that accept Schengen visas

The following countries allow entry with a valid Schengen visa or residence permit. See the Key Conditions section below for entry requirements that apply across all destinations.

Balkans

• Albania — Up to 90 days within 180 days. Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa or residence permit required.
• Bosnia & Herzegovina — Up to 30 days per entry (90 days within 6 months). Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa required; must have been used at least once.
• Kosovo — Up to 15 days. Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa required.
• Montenegro — Up to 30 days. Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa required; must have been used at least once.
• North Macedonia — Up to 15 days per entry (total 90 days within 180 days). Valid multiple-entry Schengen visa required.
• Serbia — Up to 90 days within 180 days. Valid Schengen visa required. Note: some nationalities may have different conditions.