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How Schengen Formed? Well, Schengen is a country that is on the borders between two countries France and Germany. Back then, Schengen was a small place and got recognized in 1985 when countries like Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France came together to form an agreement for Visa rules called Schengen Visa.

The principle rule was the border free control amongst these countries to enable economical growth of its citizens so that they would trade and move freely in these regions. These countries have significance of fighting during World War II and borders never divided them. And hence today in Europe, schengen area is the largest in the continent that is borders free.

Now schengen area expanded by welcoming more countries in European Union and they became overall 26 countries together now.

26 Countries – Czech Republic, Belgium, France, Malta, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Iceland, Hungary, Greece, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Portugal, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Latvia, Liechtenstein and Netherlands.

While we now know the countries that are part of schengen region, not all countries that have joined schengen deal at the same time. We have learnt it was five countries that started it all at first in 1985; there were other countries like Italy that joined schengen in 1990. The following year 1991, Spain and Portugal came forward. Again in 1995 Austria and in the next years other countries came together.

There are few countries that are part of Schengen region that are not actually part of Europe geographically and some countries like wise not part of schengen yet are geographically part of Europe. For example Great Britain and Ireland are not part of schengen agreement however they are part of Europe though geographically not connected.

Svalbard is another country that is also on borders of Norway though it’s not part of schengen agreement yet it opens up its border to visitors entering on schengen visa.

To name countries like Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are will to join Schengen agreement but are in line waiting.

Especially there are countries like Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira that are part of schengen agreement though they are not geographically located in schengen region. To note that there are also countries like Vatican City, San Marino and Monaco that is not part of schengen agreement however has opened their borders free.

For Monaco, Mediterranean Sea line covers some part of the country, as it on borders with France; French Immigration authorities are doing the immigration check for Monaco as well.

Likewise San Marino is well sharing their borders with Italy though officially not in schengen region. Vatican is same as above just allowed free borders and still in waiting for schengen deal confirmation.

6 other countries that are part of France are Guadeloupe, Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint Martin and Reunion that are outside schengen region. In case you plan to visit these countries you need Visa.

There are few countries that are part of the France and Netherland on outside territories that do not share their borders and need their own visa requirement. Denmark is another country with territories outside stretching its borders to form another two countries Greenland and Faroe Islands. For these two countries you will need visa separately.

As far as you enter Schengen countries on schengen visa from any one of the country; you are free to enter any country within their schengen borders. But outside schengen territories you will require visa to travel across other countries.

Both European and non European members can move freely across schengen area. However you might undergo checks by police officers or immigration in case you found to be suspicious.