The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed in 1985 between European countries, allowing for the free movement of people between participating nations. This agreement has been a significant milestone in European integration and has helped to facilitate travel and commerce between nations.
Thirty-six countries signed the Schengen Agreement, including 26 European Union member states and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states. These countries have abolished internal borders, allowing for the free movement of people, goods, and services within the Schengen Area.
The 26 European Union (EU) member states that have signed the Schengen Agreement are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. These countries have also adopted common visa policies, border control standards and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, providing a more secure and efficient travel environment.
In addition, four EFTA countries that are not members of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, have also signed the Schengen Agreement. This allows them to participate in the free movement of people, goods and services, and they have also adopted common visa policies and border control standards.
Although several EU member states have not signed the Schengen Agreement, they are part of the European Union, which means they must comply with most of the Schengen rules and regulations. These countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
In conclusion, the Schengen Agreement has been a significant milestone for European integration, allowing citizens of participating countries to travel freely without the need for visas or passport controls. The Schengen Area also allows for the free movement of goods and services, which has helped to stimulate trade within Europe. The countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement have also adopted common visa policies, border control standards, and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, providing a more secure and efficient travel environment.
