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__NOTOC__The '''Schengen Agreement'''(named after the village [[Schengen]], a village directly on the three border point of [[Germany]], [[Belgium]] and [[Luxembourg]], where it was signed), as far as travellers are concerned, basically dissolves borders control border checks when travelling between member countries. '''EU, EEA and Swiss citizens''' enjoy the freedom of movement within all member the Schengen Area - which means that they can live and work without restrictions. '''All other nationals''' are divided into two categories - '''Annex I''' and '''Annex II'''. Annex I includes countriessuch as China, India, Russia and South Africa; Annex II includes Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, Macedonia, New Zealand, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Once you have entered For a full list, visit click [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_in_the_European_Union here]. '''Annex I''' nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. If they intend to spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area, they should obtain a visa from an embassy or consulate of the main Schengen country they intend to visit - the visa will be valid for the whole of the Schengen areaArea and costs €60 (or €35 for Georgians, you may travel freely within all member Moldvans, Russians and Ukrainians). If they intend to spend more than 90 days, they need to approach one Schengen country to apply for a national residence permit or long-term 'D' visa. The national residence permit or long-term 'D' visa allows the holder to stay in that country for the period of validity and to stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days '''''each'''''. For example, the holder of a long-term 'D' visa issued by a Portuguese embassy valid for 1 year can stay in Portugal for 180 days, Switzerland for 90 days and Denmark for 90 days. For more information on intra-Schengen travel on a sixresidence permit/long-month period without having term 'D' visa, visit the [http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/visa/schengen/residence_permit_schengen.htm Danish Immigration Service] website. '''Annex II''' nationals need a visa to cross passport control pointsenter the Schengen Area, unless they qualify for a visa exemption. If you are All Annex II nationals can enter the Schengen Area '''''as a whole''''' visa-exempt for up to 90 days in a citizen 180 day period. New Zealand citizens can stay visa-exempt for up to 90 days in '''''each''''' of one of these [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Iceland]], [[Italy]], [[Luxembourg]], [[The Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]] and [[Switzerland]] without reference to time spent in other Schengen countries, you can but if they wish to travel within all member to other Schengen countries without any limits , the normal 90 day every 180 days visa exemption period applies. More information on the special visa exemption for New Zealanders is available at the [http://www.delaus.ec.europa.eu/newzealand/eu_guide/faqsvisas.htm EU], [http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/destinations/europetips.shtml NZ Government Safetravel], [http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/destinations/europetips.shtml French Embassy], [http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Wellington/es/MenuPpal/faqs/Paginas/faqs.aspx Spanish Embassy] and without [http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/ocea/vnzl/ref_visinf/visnzl.html Swiss Embassy] websites. If an Annex II national doesn't qualify for a visa exemption, he/she will have to apply for a passportvisa (see the Annex I section above for the procedure).  Therefore, the Schengen agreement extension Agreement will reveal itself to be an a hassle for Nonnon-[[European Union|EU ]] passport holderholders who are Annex II nationals (except for New Zealanders), because whilst previously travellers such as Americans, Australians and Canadians could spend up to 3 months visa-free in each European country, now the 3 month visa exemption applies to the Schengen Area (most of Europe) as a whole. Hence, for foreign travellers such as Canadian, US and Australian passport holders, the nearest border remaining options will be to cross to the [[United Kingdom]]/[[Ireland]] or go down to [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Cyprus]], the [[Balkans]], [[Ukraine]], [[Turkey]], [[Gibraltar]] or [[Morocco]] once nearing the end of their 90 days limit within Schengen and back (staying away for a new 90 daysbefore re-entering a Schengen country. The UK, as well as Irish border is probably the worst of these options in terms of chances of being sent away or denied entry - similar to US, Canadian or Australian border control, non-EU citizens are interviewed about their trip and have to provide an itinerary, how much money they have, when and how they plan to leave, as well as some proof they'll eventually leave, so go prepared. Note that sometimes within Schengen borders, especially while going along by train, policemen do come on board and ask to see your documents. Usually it's trouble-free, but they tend to harass Balkans and Turks more often than others. Also note that the Schengen Agreement only concerns immigration checks; therefore, when travelling between a Schengen country that is part of the EU and another Schengen country that isn't (such as between [[France]] and [[Switzerland]]) will , whilst you won't be less reachablestopped for immigration checks, selective customs checks still occur. Some Schengen countries allow Annex II citizens to work during their stay on their visa-exemption. [[France]], for example, permits Canadians, Israelis, Malaysians, New Zealanders and Taiwanese (as well as some other Annex II nationalities) to work during their 3 month visa exemption period. For the full list of nationalities permitted to work in France during the 3 month visa exemption period, visit the [http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/article/foreign-nationals-holding-ordinary French Ministry of Foreign Affairs] website. == Member States ==28 European states have signed the agreement, including most EU countries and four non-EU countries ([[Iceland]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Norway]] and [[Switzerland]]). [[Ireland]] and the [[United Kingdom]] did not sign the treaty. 26 of these countries have implemented the agreement so far. [[File:Schengen_map.png|500px|thumb|Schengen countries (blue), aspirants (green) and police and judicial cooperation only (red)]] === Current implementation ===* [[File:Flag_Austria.png|20px]] [[Austria]]* [[File:Flag_Belgium.png|20px]] [[Belgium]]* [[File:Flag_Czech Republic.png|20px]] [[Czech Republic]]* [[File:Flag_of_Denmark.png|20px]] [[Denmark]]* [[File:Flag_of_Estonia.png|20px]] [[Estonia]]* [[File:Flag_of_Finland.png|20px]] [[Finland]]* [[File:Flag_France.png|20px]] [[France]]* [[File:Flag_Germany.png|20px]] [[Germany]]* [[File:Flag_of_Greece.png|20px]] [[Greece]]* [[File:Flag_of_Hungary.png|20px]] [[Hungary]]* [[File:Flag_Iceland.png|20px]] [[Iceland]]* [[File:Flag_of_Italy.png|20px]] [[Italy]]* [[File:Flag_of_Latvia.png|20px]] [[Latvia]]* [[File:Flag_Liechtenstein.png|20px]] [[Liechtenstein]]* [[File:Flag_of_Lithuania.png|20px]] [[Lithuania]]* [[File:Flag_Luxembourg.png|20px]] [[Luxembourg]]* [[File:Flag_of_Malta.png|20px]] [[Malta]]* [[File:Flag_Netherlands.png|20px]] [[Netherlands]]* [[File:Flag_of_Norway.png|20px]] [[Norway]]* [[File:Flag_Poland.png|20px]] [[Poland]]* [[File:Flag_of_Portugal.png|20px]] [[Portugal]]* [[File:Flag_of_Slovakia.png|20px]] [[Slovakia]]* [[File:Flag_of_Slovenia.png|20px]] [[Slovenia]]* [[File:Flag_Spain.png|20px]] [[Spain]]* [[File:Flag_of_Sweden.png|20px]] [[Sweden]]* [[File:Flag_of_Switzerland.png|20px]] [[Switzerland]]

For CanadianNote that whilst [[Andorra]], US, Australian, Neo-Zelandese passport holders, the remaining options will be to cross to the [[United KingdomMonaco]]/, [[IrelandSan Marino]] or go down to , and the Balkans and [[UkraineVatican City]] once you're nearing your 90 days limits within have not formally signed the Schengen Agreement, in practice there are no border checks when entering these countries from the SchengenArea.

Notice that sometimes === Overstaying ==='''DON'T DO IT.'''This section only concerns visa-exempt individuals (although those with visas overstay, too, procedures might differ). Overstaying means you stay longer than 90 days within a 180 day period - it is irrelevant how many times you enter and exit, the officer will always count back 180 days and determine how many days you spent in the Schengen Area. Some countries are stricter than others - anecdotal evidence suggests Northern European countries, as well as Germany, Netherlands and countries with historically tight borders(ie. the former Communist countries) are stricter. The Netherlands, especially while going along by train, policemen do come on board Germany and ask to see your documentsPoland are notorious. In general airports have less strict inspections than land borders. Usually it's trouble-freeSouthern European countries, but such as Spain and Italy are much less strict and notorious for often not stamping Western passports (which they tend 're legally required to harass Balkans and Turks more often than others).

==Member States==28 European states If it is found out that you have signed overstayed (this can be both on entry as well as exit - all Schengen countries have both entry and exit controls), the agreementappropriate officials can issue a warning, including most European countries and three non-EU countries ([[Iceland]]fine or even deport you, [[Norway]]depending on their mood, [[Switzerland]]. [[Ireland]] local laws and practices, as well the [[United Kingdom]] did not sign the treaty. 24 length of these countries have implemented the agreement so far.[[Image:Schengen_map.png|500px|thumb|Schengen countries your overstay (bluea day or week over will most likely result in a warning, a month will get you a fine) and aspirants . Again, some are stricter, some not so much (greensee above)]]===Current implementation===* [[Image:Flag_Austria.png|20px]] [[Austria]]* [[Image:Flag_BelgiumFines range from 100 to 1000 euros.png|20px]] [[Belgium]]* [[Image:Flag_Czech Republic.png|20px]] [[Czech Republic]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Denmark.png|20px]] [[Denmark]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Estonia.png|20px]] [[Estonia]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Finland.png|20px]] [[Finland]]* [[Image:Flag_France.png|20px]] [[France]]* [[Image:Flag_Germany.png|20px]] [[Germany]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Greece.png|20px]] [[Greece]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Hungary.png|20px]] [[Hungary]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Iceland.png|20px]] [[Iceland]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Italy.png|20px]] [[Italy]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Latvia.png|20px]] [[Latvia]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Lithuania.png|20px]] [[Lithuania]]* [[Image:Flag_Luxembourg.png|20px]] [[Luxembourg]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Malta.png|20px]] [[Malta]]* [[Image:Flag_Netherlands.png|20px]] [[Netherlands]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Norway.png|20px]] [[Norway]]* [[Image:Flag_Poland.png|20px]] [[Poland]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Portugal.png|20px]] [[Portugal]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Slovakia.png|20px]] [[Slovakia]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Slovenia.png|20px]] [[Slovenia]]* [[Image:Flag_Spain.png|20px]] [[Spain]]* [[Image:Flag_of_Sweden.png|20px]] [[Sweden]]===Future implementation===* November 2008** [[Image:Flag_of_Switzerland.png|20px]] [[Switzerland]]** [[Image:Flag_Liechtenstein.png|20px]] [[Liechtenstein]]* 2009** [[Image:Flag_of_Cyprus.png|20px]] [[Cyprus]]* 2011** [[Image:Flag_BulgariaIf deported, you'll be deported back to your home country (sometimes back to the country you just came from if this happens at entry) at your expense.png|20px]] [[Bulgaria]]** [[Image:Flag_RomaniaYou can also be given a five or ten year ban on traveling to Europe if you've overstayed.png|20px]] [[Romania]]

==Trivia==However, the system is very outdated - only Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain collect entries and exits electronically in a national database, but this data isn't shared with anyone else (ie. if you enter through Estonia and exit through Latvia, the Latvians won't see any electronic record, even though Estonia has it). Therefore, unless you '''both''' enter '''and''' exit through the same country in the list above, border officials' only source of information is the stamp in you passport. If in doubt, officials may ask for proof of entry, such as a plane/bus ticket, but you have no obligation to supply such information. There are proposals to introduce a single, shared electronic database for entries and exits in the mid-term (possibly by 2020 or later). * The Schengen Agreement was signed in Illegally exiting Schengenis virtually impossible due to a simple fact: most of the land (green) border is located between the EU and Russia/Belarus/Ukraine - the Soviet Union had extremely tight borders and to this day, most of these countries (Russia and Belarus especially) maintain a village directly razor-wire fence on the three border with the West with soldiers and sand lanes which indicate foot steps. Even if you could overcome these, getting away from the border region unnoticed is virtually impossible for a cheesy foreigner with a giant backpack. The Balkans (Hungary/Croatia, Slovenia/Croatia and Hungary/Serbia) used to be the weakest point of [[the Area (especially the Slovenian border), however after the events of 2015 (the Refugee Crisis), the border was greatly enhanced and now almost all of it is again cut off by razor-wire fences and patrols. Getting caught could land you with a huge fine if lucky, in jail if unlucky and shot if very unlucky, so don't do it. Common myths:*"Electronic stamps are saved on your biometric passport" - biometric chips only contain data about the bearer and officials of other countries CANNOT write information onto these chips, they can only read them*"Westerners get a free pass to stay longer" - they get more leeway, but not much and certainly not in Germany]]or any of the stricter countries*"Border officials will know from their computer how long you've stayed" - they WILL NOT, unless you BOTH enter AND exit via Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain *"You can get your visa-free stay extended by 30 days if you request it" - no such thing, in the Schengen Area you get 90 out of 180 days and that's it (unless you're from New Zealand, see above)*"You can just sneak out through a green border" - you can't, see above (razor-wire fences and such)*"You can legalize your overstay with the help of a lawyer" - a lawyer can only help reduce the risk of getting an entry ban for the future, you'll still have to pay the fine and leave the Schengen Area*"The SIS (Schengen Information System) tracks travelers' entries and exits" - the SIS is only a list of alerts about wanted/missing/undesirable people, not a list of all travelers - around 60% of all alerts are submitted by Germany. === Future implementation === * Date unknown** [[BelgiumFile:Flag_Bulgaria.png|20px]] and [[LuxembourgBulgaria]].* Close to the village of * [[Schengen, LuxemburgFile:Flag_Romania.png|Schengen20px]] [[Romania]] there is an access lane onto a motorway which connects ** [[SaarbrückenFile:Flag_Croatia.png|20px]] and [[LuxembourgCroatia]]. This access lane is not very suitable for hitchhiking for three reasons; first there is very little space for drivers to make a stop, second the access lane gives access to both directions on the motorway and third Luxembourgian drivers are not overly prepared to serve rides. once they get their borders in order (possibly never) ** [[UserFile:FverhartFlag_of_Cyprus.png|Fverhart20px]] waited one hour near this access lane, before he finally got a short lift to a service station in [[LuxembourgCyprus]]., dependent on resolution of Cyprus conflict == External links =={{Wikipedia-link}}{{IsIn|Europe}}