The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have agreed to allow free movement of people between their borders without passport controls. Named after the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985, this area includes most EU countries, as well as some non-EU nations.
The main idea behind the Schengen Area is to make travel easier. People can move between these countries without stopping at border control points. This is especially helpful for tourists, business travelers, and people who live in one country but work or study in another. For example, if you travel from France to Germany, you won’t need to show your passport at the border.
However, while there are no routine checks between countries in the Schengen Area, security and safety are still important. Each country has the right to temporarily restore border checks if there is a serious threat, such as a national emergency or high-security event.
As of 2025, the Schengen Area includes 29 countries. These are 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries – Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. These countries all share the goal of making Europe safer and easier to travel within.
Luis Apolo Staff Reporter junior/1741740798/1613368124
1. When was the Schengen Agreement signed?
2. How does the Schengen Area benefit tourists and business travelers?
3. What is an example of traveling within the Schengen Area without showing a passport?
4. Which four non-EU countries are part of the Schengen Area?
1. Why might a country decide to temporarily restore border checks?
2. What are the benefits of being part of the Schengen Area for non-EU countries?
3. How does the Schengen Area affect people who live in one country but work in another?
4. If your country was not part of the Schengen Area, would you want it to join? Why or why not?
The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have agreed to allow free movement of people between their borders without passport controls. Named after the Schengen Agreement signed in 1985, this area includes most EU countries, as well as some non-EU nations.
However, while there are no routine checks between countries in the Schengen Area, security and safety are still important. Each country has the right to temporarily restore border checks if there is a serious threat, such as a national emergency or high-security event.
