Schengen countries in 2026: the list and how it differs from the EU
The Schengen area has 29 countries: 25 EU members and 4 non-EU countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It is not the same as the EU: Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not in Schengen, so days there don't count toward the 90/180 limit.
Counting your days? Schengen 90/180 calculator — free, in your browser.
The 29 Schengen countries
EU members in Schengen (25)
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Non-EU members (4)
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
The newest members: Croatia joined on 1 January 2023; Bulgaria and Romania became full members on 1 January 2025.
Schengen vs. the EU
| Schengen area | European Union | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A zone without border checks between its members | A political and economic union |
| Members | 29 countries | 27 countries |
| In one, not the other | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland | Ireland, Cyprus |
| What it means for visitors | One 90-days-in-180 limit for the whole zone | EU membership alone doesn't decide your days |
Exceptions that trip people up
- Ireland has an opt-out from Schengen and keeps its own travel rules with the UK. Days in Ireland don't count toward your Schengen 90.
- Cyprus is in the EU and taking part in Schengen cooperation, but internal border controls haven't been lifted yet — it is not part of the zone for the 90/180 count. Cyprus has its own 90-in-180 limit for visitors.
- Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City aren't members, but there are no border checks with their neighbours, so in practice days there are Schengen days.
- Some overseas territories of Schengen countries — for example French Guiana, Réunion or Greenland — are outside the zone.
- Not in Schengen: the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey. Many travellers use them to wait for Schengen days to come back.
Andorra and Gibraltar
- Andorra is not in the Schengen area. GOV.UK says you must travel through France or Spain to enter it, and meet Schengen entry requirements to do so.
- Gibraltar: since the UK-EU Agreement on Gibraltar began to apply provisionally on 15 July 2026, GOV.UK says any time you spend in Gibraltar counts alongside time in the Schengen area toward the 90-in-180 limit.
Sources: GOV.UK, Andorra entry requirements and Gibraltar entry requirements.
Who needs a visa for the Schengen area
Nationals of countries on the EU's visa list must apply for a Schengen visa before travelling; the 90/180 limit applies to visa-free visitors and to short-stay visa holders alike. The European Commission publishes the list on its Schengen visa page.
What this means for the 90/180 rule
If you aren't an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, all 29 countries share one limit: up to 90 days in any 180. Ten days in France and ten in Norway are twenty Schengen days. Days in the UK, Ireland, Cyprus or the Balkans don't count — but leaving doesn't reset the count either. Check your days with the calculator, and see what changed at the border with EES and ETIAS.
Schengen countries questions
How many countries are in the Schengen area in 2026?
29: 25 EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Is the UK in Schengen?
No. The UK was never part of the Schengen area. Since Brexit, British citizens are non-EU visitors and follow the 90/180 rule in Schengen countries.
Is Ireland in Schengen?
No. Ireland is in the EU but has an opt-out from Schengen. Time in Ireland doesn't count toward the Schengen 90 days.
Is Cyprus in Schengen?
Not yet. Cyprus is integrating into Schengen, but border controls with the rest of the zone are still in place, and days in Cyprus don't count toward the Schengen limit.
Are Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in Schengen?
Yes. Croatia joined in 2023, and Bulgaria and Romania became full members on 1 January 2025. Days there count toward the 90.
Is Switzerland in Schengen?
Yes. Switzerland isn't in the EU, but it is a full Schengen member, and days there count toward the 90.
Let your iPhone count Schengen days
Daysafe knows which countries are in Schengen and counts your 90/180 days automatically as you travel — with the date you need to leave. No account; your days stay on your phone.
Sources
European Commission, Schengen area; Council of the EU, The Schengen area explained; GOV.UK, Travel to the EU and Schengen area. Checked on 13 October 2026. Made by Denis Chudinov.