What Is the Schengen Area? An Overview Before Your Europe Tour

The Schengen Area is a zone made up of European countries that have removed routine passport checks at their internal borders; once you have entered the area, you can usually travel between member countries without border checks. However, Schengen is not the same as the European Union, and not every European country is part of it. This article is an overview to clarify the concepts; for visa and entry requirements, always check the official sources of the countries concerned and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.

Where does the name Schengen come from?

It takes its name from the small village of Schengen in Luxembourg, on the border with Germany and France. The first agreement to remove internal border checks was signed here in the 1980s. Over time, more countries joined the agreement, and today a free movement area covers a large part of the continent.

Removing border checks does not mean there are no checks at all. Checks are carried out at the area's external borders, that is, on first entry into the area and final exit. Member countries may also introduce temporary checks at internal borders in certain situations. So even when travelling within Schengen, you must always carry your passport with you.

Schengen, the EU and the euro: three different concepts

This is what first-time visitors to Europe confuse most often.

• European Union (EU): A political and economic union.
• Schengen Area: The area of countries that have removed passport checks at their internal borders.
• Eurozone: The countries that use the common currency, the euro.

These three groups overlap to a large extent, but they are not identical:

• Some EU members are outside the Schengen Area. Ireland is a well-known example.
• Some countries are in the Schengen Area even though they are not EU members. Switzerland and Norway are examples.
• The United Kingdom is in neither the EU nor the Schengen Area.
• Not every country in the Schengen Area uses the euro. For example, Switzerland uses the Swiss franc and Czechia the Czech koruna.

New countries have joined the area in recent years, and the list of members may change over time. It is best to check the current list with official sources.

Why does this matter when choosing a tour?

Which countries a European tour passes through directly affects your document preparation. Let us look at examples from the tours on our website:

Routes that stay entirely within the area

The Benelux, Paris and Germany Tour covers Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France. These countries are in the Schengen Area, so crossings between them during the tour usually take place without border checks.

Routes combining Schengen and non-Schengen countries

The Grand Europe Tour passes through ten countries, and its route includes countries outside the Schengen Area, such as Serbia. On routes like this you may leave the area and re-enter it, a detail to take into account when preparing your documents.

Routes outside Schengen

The Great Britain Tour covers the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Both are outside the Schengen Area and have separate visa rules. This route therefore requires a different process from preparing for the Schengen Area.

General principles for preparing documents

The exact rules vary by country, passport type, purpose of travel and date, so we do not give a list of rules here. Even so, some general principles apply to every trip to Europe:

1. Start early. Application and appointment processes can take longer, especially in busy seasons.
2. Rely on official sources. Information you read on social media or forums may be out of date. The official sources of the country concerned and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye are where to find current information.
3. Check your passport. Conditions such as its validity and the number of blank pages should be reviewed before you travel; find out the applicable requirements from official sources.
4. Learn the rules on length of stay. There are rules on how long you can stay in the Schengen Area. If you travel often, read these rules in detail from official sources.
5. Keep up with system changes. Entry and exit procedures in Europe may change over time with innovations such as digital registration.

On our group tours, we share the current requirements at the quote stage; as application times can be long, we recommend planning early.

Common mistaken assumptions

A few common ideas confuse first-time visitors to Europe:

• "Every country in Europe follows the same rules." It does not. Countries inside and outside Schengen, and even countries within Schengen, may have some different practices.
• "If there is no border check, I don't need a passport." Your passport is needed when checking in to hotels and in case of possible checks; always keep it with you.
• "It was like this last year, so it will be the same this year." Rules and practices can change. Before every trip, update your information from current official sources.

Practical differences when changing countries

Even without border checks within Schengen, some things change as you move from country to country:

• Currency: In countries that do not use the euro, you may need local currency or to pay by card.
• Mobile service: Check before you go which countries your roaming package covers.
• Language and customs: Mealtimes, tipping customs and shop opening hours differ from country to country.

If you are going to Europe for the first time, we cover these practical details more fully in our guide to your first European tour.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Schengen Area and the European Union the same thing?

No. The two groups largely overlap, but some EU members are outside Schengen, while some non-EU countries are inside it.

Do you need to carry a passport within Schengen?

Yes. Even though there are no routine checks at internal borders, carry your passport for temporary checks, hotel check-ins and situations where you may be asked for ID.

Is the UK in the Schengen Area?

No. The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are outside the Schengen Area, and each has its own visa rules.

What are the requirements for a Schengen visa?

Requirements vary by country, purpose of travel and period. Before travelling, check the current situation with the official sources of the country concerned and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.