The Complete List of Schengen Countries in 2026: A Traveler's Guide

As of 2026, the Schengen Area comprises 29 countries, creating a vast border-free zone for travelers. Knowing this complete list is essential for anyone planning a European trip, as it governs where you can travel without internal border checks and how long you can stay under the 90/180-day rule. The challenge for travelers is accurately tracking the 90 days allowed within any 180-day period. This is where DaysAround helps. The DaysAround iOS App automatically and privately builds a secure, on-device timeline of your travels from your photos, acting as your personal country counter and Schengen tracker.

Throughout this article, we'll detail each member of the Schengen zone, explain the implications for your travels, and show how DaysAround can simplify compliance. For quick calculations before you travel, you can use the free Schengen Zone Calculator, but for automatic, continuous tracking, the DaysAround app is the ultimate tool.

The Full List of Schengen Countries in 2026

The Schengen Area includes 29 member countries. While most are European Union (EU) members, several non-EU countries are also part of the agreement, and some EU countries are not.

Here is the complete list for 2026:

Member State	EU Member	Notes
Austria	Yes	Central European hub.
Belgium	Yes	Founding member.
Bulgaria	Yes	Joined by air/sea in March 2024.
Croatia	Yes	Joined in 2023.
Czech Republic	Yes	Central European hub.
Denmark	Yes	Nordic member.
Estonia	Yes	Baltic member.
Finland	Yes	Nordic member.
France	Yes	Founding member.
Germany	Yes	Founding member.
Greece	Yes	Southeastern gateway.
Hungary	Yes	Eastern border country.
Iceland	No	EFTA member.
Italy	Yes	Southern European gateway.
Latvia	Yes	Baltic member.
Liechtenstein	No	EFTA member.
Lithuania	Yes	Baltic member.
Luxembourg	Yes	Founding member.
Malta	Yes	Island nation.
Netherlands	Yes	Founding member.
Norway	No	EFTA member.
Poland	Yes	Eastern border country.
Portugal	Yes	Western European gateway.
Romania	Yes	Joined by air/sea in March 2024.
Slovakia	Yes	Central European hub.
Slovenia	Yes	Central European hub.
Spain	Yes	Western European gateway.
Sweden	Yes	Nordic member.
Switzerland	No	EFTA member.

1. France - Schengen Area Founding Member

As a founding signatory of the 1985 Schengen Agreement, France stands as a cornerstone of the border-free zone and officially implemented the accord in 1995. This makes it a primary and popular entry point for travelers exploring Europe. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 means eligible non-EU visitors can travel here visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

This stay is not just for France alone but is shared across all member states, making precise tracking crucial for multi-country trips. Understanding and correctly applying this rule is essential for compliance. To fully grasp its mechanics, you can get more details on how the Schengen 90/180 rule works.

How DaysAround Helps in France

Managing your 90-day limit while exploring France's diverse regions is simple with the right tools.

• Automated Country Counter: The DaysAround iOS App creates a private, on-device timeline of your travels using your photos' metadata. It automatically logs your entry and exit dates, providing an effortless way to monitor your 90-day limit without GPS or cloud services.
• Pre-Trip Planning: Before you go, use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to model your itinerary and see how a long stay in Paris affects your available days for other countries.

2. Germany - Schengen Economic Hub

As a founding signatory of the 1985 Schengen Agreement, Germany is an integral part of the border-free zone and officially implemented the accord in 1995. Its status as Europe's largest economy makes it a major entry and transit hub for travelers. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 means that non-EU visitors can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, a limit that applies across the entire zone.

This shared 90-day allowance necessitates careful tracking, especially when transiting through major hubs like Frankfurt or Berlin, as every day counts towards the total. Properly managing this rolling window is crucial for compliance, and using a dedicated tool can prevent overstays.

How DaysAround Helps in Germany

Precise documentation is key when your travel plans involve Germany, both for short stays and for potential tax residency tracking.

• Automatic Travel History: The DaysAround iOS App automatically creates an on-device timeline of your travels from your photos' metadata. It securely logs your entry and exit dates, making it an effortless Schengen 90/180 tracker without GPS.
• Days Per Country Log: If you're a digital nomad, the app also functions as a tax residency tracker, helping you monitor the number of days you spend in Germany to comply with the 183-day rule.

3. Italy - Schengen Gateway to Southern Europe

As a key Mediterranean entry point, Italy joined the Schengen Agreement in 1990 and fully implemented it in 1998. With major international airports in Rome, Milan, and Venice, it serves as a critical gateway for travelers accessing Southern Europe. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 confirms that eligible visitors can explore its rich history and culture visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

This 90-day allowance covers the entire Schengen Area, not just Italy, making meticulous tracking essential for multi-country itineraries. Whether you start in Sicily and travel north or land in Milan before heading to neighboring states, managing your stay duration from day one is vital for compliance.

How DaysAround Helps in Italy

A journey through Italy's diverse regions requires careful planning, and DaysAround simplifies the tracking process.

• Privacy-First Timeline: The DaysAround iOS App builds your travel history app experience directly on your device. Your photos from the Colosseum or Venetian canals automatically create a timeline, giving you a precise log of your stay without sharing data with the cloud.
• Visualize Your Trip: Before booking, model your entry through Italy with our free Schengen Zone Calculator to see how it impacts your available days for subsequent travel.

4. Spain - Schengen Western Hub

Spain joined the Schengen Area after signing the agreement in 1991 and fully implemented it in 1995. As a major gateway with busy international airports in Madrid and Barcelona, it serves as a primary western entry point for travelers. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 means eligible visitors can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, a limit shared across all member states.

This shared time makes careful tracking essential, especially for multi-country itineraries originating in Spain. Managing this rolling period is crucial for compliance and avoiding overstay penalties. For a clear understanding of this rule, you can explore detailed guides on how the Schengen 90/180 rule works.

How DaysAround Helps in Spain

With its diverse regions, a granular approach to day tracking is crucial, and DaysAround makes it effortless.

• Create Your Countries Visited Map: The DaysAround iOS App automatically generates a private, on-device travel timeline from your photos' metadata. This is perfect for documenting your movements and creating a "where have I been map" of your journey through Catalonia, Andalusia, and beyond without manual logging.
• Plan Ahead: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to model your trip, especially if entering through Madrid, to optimize your stay and see how days spent in Spain impact your time for other destinations.

5. Netherlands - Schengen Northern Hub

As a founding signatory of the 1985 Schengen Agreement, the Netherlands fully implemented the accord in 1995. Its strategic location and major international airports, like Amsterdam Schiphol, establish it as a critical northern gateway to the border-free zone. The country’s inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 makes it a popular entry point for travelers starting their European journey.

This membership means eligible visitors can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Precise tracking of your stay is essential, especially if transiting through frequently.

How DaysAround Helps in the Netherlands

Careful planning is crucial when using the Netherlands as a primary entry or transit hub, and DaysAround provides the tools you need.

• Automated Accuracy: The DaysAround iOS App automatically logs your entry and exit dates by creating a private, on-device travel timeline from your photos' metadata. This is ideal for accurately tracking short visits or long transits through Amsterdam without manual input.
• Itinerary Modeling: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to map out your travels and understand how frequent, short visits impact your overall 90-day limit.

6. Poland - Schengen Eastern Frontier

Poland joined the Schengen Area in 2007, solidifying its role as a key eastern frontier of the visa-free zone. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 is significant for travelers moving between Schengen and non-Schengen territories in Eastern Europe. Visitors can enjoy up to 90 days of visa-free travel within any 180-day period across all member states.

This strategic position means that while its western borders with countries like Germany are open, its eastern borders with Ukraine and Belarus are subject to strict Schengen protocols. Precise tracking is essential to avoid overstaying your limit.

How DaysAround Helps in Poland

Managing your Schengen days while traveling through Poland requires careful planning, especially when crossing its eastern border.

• Effortless Day Counting: The DaysAround iOS App automatically creates a private travel timeline on your device using your photos' metadata. It precisely logs your entry and exit dates, providing an effortless way to monitor your 90/180-day limit without manual input, making it a reliable country counter.
• Plan Re-entries: If you plan to exit to a non-Schengen country and re-enter, use our free Schengen Zone Calculator beforehand to see how this impacts your rolling 180-day window.

7. Czech Republic - Schengen Central East Hub

Joining the Schengen Area with full implementation in 2008, the Czech Republic offers a strategic Central European hub for travelers. Its location makes it a pivotal point for itineraries connecting Western and Eastern Europe. As part of the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026, it allows eligible visitors the standard 90-day visa-free stay within any 180-day period, a limit that applies across the entire zone.

This shared time limit means a week spent exploring Prague counts towards your total allowance for other destinations like Germany or Austria. Careful tracking is therefore non-negotiable for anyone planning a multi-country European journey.

How DaysAround Helps in the Czech Republic

Using the Czech Republic as a base requires smart planning to maximize your Schengen days and budget.

• Automated Travel Log: The DaysAround iOS App automatically creates a private travel timeline using your photos' metadata. It acts as your personal countries visited tracker, ensuring you have a precise, on-device record of your days spent in the Czech Republic and beyond.
• Plan Your Hub-Based Travel: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to model itineraries starting from Prague to see how trips to neighboring countries impact your 90-day allowance.

8. Austria - Schengen Alpine Crossroads

Austria joined the Schengen Area after signing the agreement in 1995 and fully implementing it in 1998. Its central location makes it a crucial crossroads, connecting Western Europe with Eastern and Southern member states. As part of the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026, Austria allows eligible visitors visa-free travel for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire zone.

Vienna, its capital, often serves as a primary entry or transit hub for travelers. Careful tracking of your 90-day allowance is vital when using Austria as a base for wider European exploration.

How DaysAround Helps in Austria

Given its role as a central European hub, managing your Schengen days while in Austria requires a clear strategy.

• Automated Country Counter: The DaysAround iOS App is an ideal tool for multi-country trips. It privately creates a travel timeline on your device by using photo metadata to log your entry and exit dates for Austria and other countries, helping you effortlessly monitor your 90/180-day limit.
• Plan Your Route: Before traveling, use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to see how basing yourself in Vienna impacts your travel time for neighboring countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

9. Greece - Schengen Mediterranean Southeast Gateway

Greece joined the Schengen Area in 2000, solidifying its role as a key southeastern gateway to Europe. As a member of the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026, it allows eligible visitors to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This limit applies across the entire zone, making careful tracking essential, especially when island-hopping.

Its extensive network of islands presents a unique travel documentation challenge. Unlike straightforward border crossings, ferry travel between islands can make manual day counting complex.

How DaysAround Helps in Greece

Managing your 90/180-day limit in Greece requires a precise approach, and DaysAround is built for it.

• Automated Island Tracking: The DaysAround iOS App helps you document mainland and island stays as separate location clusters. It uses your photos' metadata to build a private, on-device timeline, automatically logging your days without needing manual entry or GPS. Your photos from Santorini and Athens become your proof of travel.
• Visualize Your Itinerary: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to plan how much time you can spend island-hopping before visiting other Schengen countries.

10. Portugal - Schengen Western Peninsula

Portugal joined the Schengen Area by signing the agreement in 1991 and fully implementing it in 1995. As a key destination on Europe's western edge, it offers travelers a popular and often cost-effective entry point. Its inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 means eligible visitors can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all member states.

This 90-day limit is cumulative, covering your time in Portugal and any other Schengen country. Diligent tracking is vital to avoid overstays. To ensure compliance, it is crucial to understand how the Schengen 90/180 rule works.

How DaysAround Helps in Portugal

Portugal's favorable cost of living makes it an excellent base, and DaysAround helps you manage your stay intelligently.

• Automatic and Private Tracking: The DaysAround iOS App automatically creates a private, on-device travel timeline from your photos' metadata. It securely logs your entry and exit dates without GPS, making it the perfect Schengen 90/180 tracker for digital nomads and long-term travelers.
• Plan Strategically: Before you travel, use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to see how basing yourself in Portugal for a few weeks affects your available days for exploring other member states.

11. Switzerland - Schengen Associate Status & Visa Implications

Switzerland joined the Schengen framework by signing the agreement in 2004 and fully implementing it in 2008. Despite not being an EU member, its associate status allows seamless, visa-free travel. This unique position means Switzerland is a key part of the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026, and stays here count toward the collective 90/180-day limit.

However, its distinct non-EU immigration and tax policies create specific planning considerations. Travelers, especially digital nomads, must carefully track their time in Switzerland as it shares the same travel allowance with EU Schengen members.

How DaysAround Helps in Switzerland

Because Switzerland is outside the EU but inside Schengen, precise documentation is vital for both visa compliance and potential tax residency matters.

• Automated Schengen & Tax Tracking: The DaysAround iOS App automatically creates a private travel timeline using your photos' metadata. It logs your days spent in Switzerland, acting as both a Schengen tracker and a tax residency tracker for monitoring your stay against the 183-day rule, all on your device.
• Isolate and Verify: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to model your itinerary and confirm how days spent in the Alps affect your remaining time for a trip to Rome or Barcelona.

12. Hungary - Schengen Rule Considerations & Eastern Access

Hungary joined the Schengen Area on December 21, 2007, solidifying its position as a key Central European member. Its location makes it a strategic gateway for travelers moving between the Schengen zone and non-Schengen Eastern European countries. This means Hungary’s inclusion in the complete list of Schengen countries in 2026 is crucial for those planning multi-region itineraries, as the standard 90/180-day rule applies here.

The time spent in Hungary counts toward the same 90-day allowance shared across all member states, demanding careful planning for anyone combining a trip here with visits to neighboring countries.

How DaysAround Helps in Hungary

Careful documentation is essential when using Hungary as a base, especially when crossing into non-Schengen territories.

• Automatic and Reliable Tracking: The DaysAround iOS App automatically logs your entry and exit dates by creating a private, on-device travel timeline from your photos. It provides a seamless way to monitor your Schengen limit without relying on manual entry, making it a powerful countries visited tracker.
• Plan Eastern European Trips: Use our free Schengen Zone Calculator to model your stay, especially if your itinerary involves hopping between Hungary and non-Schengen neighbors like Romania or Serbia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing for the free and unrestricted movement of people. A visa or stay in one Schengen country is generally valid for all.

2. What is the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule?

For non-EU/EEA citizens who don't require a visa, this rule permits a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. This is a rolling window, not a fixed six-month block.

3. How can I track my days in the Schengen Zone?

You can track them manually, but this is prone to errors. A better way is to use a digital tool. The DaysAround iOS App automates this by creating a private timeline from your photos. For planning, you can use our free Schengen Zone Calculator.

4. Which EU countries are NOT in the Schengen Area?

As of 2026, the only EU countries not part of the Schengen Area are Ireland and Cyprus. They maintain their own border controls.

5. Are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein in the EU?

No, these four countries are not members of the European Union. However, they are part of the Schengen Area, meaning travel to and from them follows Schengen rules.

6. Will more countries join the Schengen Area by 2026?

It's possible. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined in March 2024 (for air and sea travel), and discussions about lifting land border controls are ongoing. Cyprus is also a candidate to join in the future.

7. Does the DaysAround app track my location with GPS?

No. The DaysAround App is privacy-first. It builds your travel timeline using the metadata (date and location) already stored in your photos, entirely on your device. It does not use GPS tracking or upload your data to the cloud.

8. What happens if I overstay the 90-day limit?

Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and an entry ban to the Schengen Area for several years. It is crucial to track your days accurately to avoid these penalties.

Sources

1. European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: Information on Schengen Area countries. (europa.eu)
2. Council of the EU: Official press releases and decisions on Schengen enlargement. (consilium.europa.eu)
3. Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM): Details on Switzerland's association with the Schengen Agreement. (sem.admin.ch)