Schengen vs European Union
Understanding the difference between these two agreements
The Schengen Area and the EU are not the same thing. Some countries are in one but not the other. This distinction matters for travel rules, visas, and ETIAS.
- EU Members
- 27
- Schengen Members
- 30
- Both
- 23
- Neither
- Many
They Are Not the Same Thing
Many travelers confuse the Schengen Area with the European Union (EU). While they overlap significantly, they are separate agreements with different purposes and memberships. Understanding the difference is important for knowing your visa and travel requirements.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Schengen Area | European Union | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Passport-free travel zone | Political and economic union |
| Purpose | Abolish internal border controls | Economic integration, shared governance |
| Members | 30 countries | 27 countries |
| Non-EU members | Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland | N/A (it IS the EU) |
| EU members not in it | Ireland, Cyprus (partial) | N/A |
| Currency | Not related (varies by country) | Euro (for most members) |
| Visa/ETIAS | Determines visa requirements | Does not determine visa requirements |
By the Numbers
- Schengen members
- 30
- EU members
- 27
- In both
- 23
- Schengen only
- 4
26 EU + 4 non-EU
After Brexit
Most overlap
Non-EU Schengen
Schengen Area vs European Union: what is the difference?
Overlapping memberships, very different purposes. Pick a tab to see how each one actually works.
The Schengen Area is a zone where 30 European countries have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders. Named after the town in Luxembourg where the agreement was signed in 1985, it allows:
- Free movement of people between member countries
- No passport checks at internal borders
- A common visa policy for short stays (the Schengen visa)
- Shared border control standards at external borders
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries. It is much broader than Schengen, involving:
- A common market for goods, services, capital, and people
- Shared lawmaking and regulations
- A common currency (Euro) for most members
- EU citizenship with rights across all member states
- Joint foreign and security policies
In Schengen but NOT in the EU (4)
Iceland — EFTA member, joined Schengen in 2001
Liechtenstein — Microstate, joined Schengen in 2011
Norway — EFTA member, joined Schengen in 2001
Switzerland — Neutral country, joined Schengen in 2008
In the EU but NOT fully in Schengen
Ireland — Opted out to maintain Common Travel Area with UK
Cyprus — EU member, but does not fully implement Schengen borders due to the divided island
Bulgaria — Partial (air/sea borders only since March 2024)
Romania — Partial (air/sea borders only since March 2024)
What About the UK?
The United Kingdom was never part of the Schengen Area — it always maintained its own border controls. When the UK left the EU in 2020 (Brexit), it lost EU membership but this didn't affect Schengen (it was never in).
Today, the UK has its own entry system called the UK ETA. Visiting the UK requires separate authorization from visiting Schengen countries.