What Is a Schengen Visa and Which Countries Accept It?

A Schengen visa is issued for short-term visits not exceeding 90 days and is valid in 29 Schengen countries; South Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are not on this list. On this page you'll find which countries the visa is valid in, the entry rule, common mistakes, and what to do before you set off.

In brief

• The Schengen visa is for short stays not exceeding 90 days; the 2026 list includes 29 countries.
• When using the visa for the first time, enter the country that issued it; afterwards you can move freely between member countries.
• South Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are outside the Schengen area; the visa is not valid in these countries.
• Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are in the Schengen area even though they are not EU members.
• Bulgaria and Romania have been full members since 1.1.2025; don't rely on old lists.

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a visa issued for short-term stays of no more than 90 days in Schengen countries. It is intended for temporary stays such as tourism. If you're planning a longer stay, this visa's scope may not be sufficient; check the official application page of the relevant country.

The real value of the visa is that it lets you enter multiple countries with a single document. Since there is free movement between member countries, once you enter one country you can move on to the others. You don't need three separate visas to visit Paris, Rome, and Prague on the same trip.

The right of stay is calculated as a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. Visas issued by Bulgaria and Romania after 31.3.2024 carry the same rule. Still, read the entry count, validity dates, and stay duration fields on your visa; 90 days is the upper limit, and your visa may grant a shorter period.

To see how to apply for each country, check the country-by-country visa information page.

Which countries is it valid in?

In the 2026 list, the Schengen area consists of 29 countries:

• Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia
• Finland, France, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
• Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary
• Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece

Not all of these countries are EU members. Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are part of the Schengen area even though they are outside the EU. So with a Schengen visa you can also travel to Zurich, Reykjavik, or Oslo.

When planning your route, check this list instead of counting countries one by one. For example, if you're building a route between cities in Germany, the Germany route guide shows the stops to visit; crossing into neighboring Schengen countries doesn't require a separate visa.

Countries where it is not valid

Not every EU country is a Schengen member. Three countries are often confused:

• South Cyprus: It is an EU member but not in the Schengen area.
• United Kingdom: It is outside the Schengen area.
• Ireland: It is outside the Schengen area.

A Schengen visa is not valid in these countries. If you've added one of these to your route, you'll need to check that country's own visa or travel authorization rules for entry. Don't guess at these rules; check the official application page of the relevant country and our visa page.

A practical distinction: EU membership and Schengen membership are not the same thing. A country being an EU member doesn't mean your Schengen visa is valid there. Compare this against the list before planning your route.

Especially if you plan to combine Schengen countries with these three countries on the same trip, review the entry requirements for each country separately. Assuming that a document valid in one country will be valid in a neighboring one can derail your whole plan.

First-entry rule and common mistakes

After entering one country with a Schengen visa, you can move freely to other member countries. However, there is one condition: when using the visa for the first time, you must enter the country that issued the visa.

This rule directly concerns your flight and route planning. If you're visiting multiple countries, plan your first entry point based on the country that issued the visa. For details of the rule and choosing the application country, check the relevant country's application page.

Common mistakes

• Not making the first entry through the country that issued the visa: The rule requires entering the issuing country on the visa's first use.
• Guessing the list: Assuming South Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and Ireland are part of Schengen.
• Treating 90 days as fixed: The entitlement is calculated within a 180-day period; your previous stays must also be taken into account.
• Not reading the visa label: The validity date, number of entries, and stay duration are written on the label.
• Relying on outdated information: The membership list changes; Bulgaria and Romania are a recent example of this.

Bulgaria and Romania: a recent change

Bulgaria and Romania have been full Schengen members as of 1.1.2025. In older guides, these two countries may still appear as "outside Schengen"; for 2026 the current list is the 29 countries above.

Schengen visas issued by these two countries after 31.3.2024 grant the same right of stay as other Schengen visas: a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. So the same duration calculation applies to these visas too.

This change directly affects your route planning. Combining Bulgaria or Romania with another Schengen country is now done within the same system. However, if you're traveling with an older document or in a special situation, check the relevant country's current announcement and your airline's current rule.

The rule is simple: trust information with a recent date, don't use an undated list. If you can't see a guide's publication date, compare the list against the 29 countries on this page.

Step by step: preparing to use your visa

1. Map out your route. Check whether the countries you'll visit are on the list.
2. Determine the main country. If you're visiting multiple countries, check the requirements of the country you'll apply to from that country's application page and the country-by-country visa information page.
3. Calculate your duration. Confirm that your total stay doesn't exceed 90 days and doesn't exceed the limit together with your previous stays within the 180-day period.
4. Check the application requirements. Clarify the necessary documents from the relevant country's page.
5. Read the label once your visa is issued. Check for errors in the name, dates, number of entries, and stay duration.
6. Plan your first entry. Remember that you must enter the country that issued the visa the first time you use it; review your flights accordingly.
7. Double-check your documents before traveling. Carry your passport, visa, and accommodation records with you.

If you travel to Schengen frequently, also look into long-validity multiple-entry visa options: the article Schengen trusted traveler formula covers this topic.

Checklist before you set off

Before heading to the airport, check off each of these:

• Is every country I'm visiting on the 29-country Schengen list?
• Is South Cyprus, the United Kingdom, or Ireland on my route? If so, have I checked the separate entry rule?
• Is the country where I'll use the visa for the first time the same country that issued it?
• Do the visa's validity dates and number of entries match my trip?
• Is my total stay within a maximum of 90 days in 180 days?
• Do I have my passport, visa, and accommodation information with me?
• Have I checked the airline's baggage and check-in rules? For timing, see the online check-in guide.

If you're looking for a short holiday route, you can check out overseas routes for the October 29 holiday; check your visa status before choosing the route.

If any item on this list is unclear, resolve it before you leave. A missing document at the border can be a risk as costly as a flight ticket; checking it at home is the safest way.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Schengen visa?

A Schengen visa is a visa issued for short-term visits not exceeding 90 days to Schengen countries. With a single visa, you can move freely between member countries. For a longer stay, check the relevant country's application page.

Which countries is the Schengen visa valid in?

In the 2026 list, it is valid in 29 countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Greece.

Is the Schengen visa valid in the United Kingdom or Ireland?

No. The United Kingdom and Ireland are outside the Schengen area, and the Schengen visa is not valid in these countries. Check the relevant country's own entry rules before traveling.

Is South Cyprus part of Schengen?

No. Although South Cyprus is an EU member, it is not in the Schengen area. A Schengen visa is not considered valid in this country.

Which country should I enter first with a Schengen visa?

When using the visa for the first time, you must enter the country that issued the visa. Afterwards, you can move freely to other member countries. Plan your flight according to this rule.

Are Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen?

Yes. Bulgaria and Romania have been full Schengen members as of 1.1.2025. Visas issued by these countries after 31.3.2024 also grant a maximum of 90 days of travel within 180 days.

Switzerland and Norway aren't EU members, is the Schengen visa valid there?

Yes. Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein are part of the Schengen area even though they are not EU members. You can also enter these countries with a Schengen visa.

Sources

• Frequently asked questions about visas - German Federal Foreign Office — tuerkei.diplo.de
• Bulgaria is a full member of Schengen Area since 1.1.2025 - Finland Abroad: Bulgaria — finlandabroad.fi
• Information About Schengen Visas — tursab.org.tr
• Schengen Countries List 2026: All 29 Member States + Map — hellosafe.com