April 19, 2025
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True Vacation – Travel Info

Vacation and Travel Resources by Jason J Olson of Redding, CA

What is Schengen what does it mean to you

The Schengen Borders Agreement permits people to travel freely within the Schengen area (consisting of 26 European countries), if the traveler otherwise qualifies to enter the Schengen area, by crossing an official external border during regular hours of operation and obtaining an entry stamp in the passport.

How does the Schengen Agreement affect my travel to Europe?
  • If you are a qualified visitor for tourism or business with a valid U.S. passport, you can apply to enter the Schengen area without a visa for a period of three months within each six months period.  Please check the State Department Country Specific Information page for passport validity requirements for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the requirements, you may be refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.  You could also be denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area.  For this reason,we recommend that your passport have at least six months’ validity remaining whenever you travel abroad. 
  • You can travel freely from one member country to another without presenting your passport at each country’s border within the Schengen area.
  • Note:  A country may reintroduce border controls at internal borders temporarily when facing a serious threat to public policy or security.
Click to apply for a Travel VISA

Can I enter the Schengen area without a visa?

  • Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen with a valid U.S. tourist passport (blue passport) traveling for tourism or business for up to three months.
  • If you do not meet these conditions, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time.
How does the agreement work?
  • When you first cross any external border of the Schengen area, present your passport for an entry stamp.
  • Immigration officials will decide if you qualify for entry into the Schengen area.
  • Note: Be sure to ask the official to stamp your passport since you are responsible for proving you have legally entered the Schengen area.
  • When moving from one member country to another, you do not need to show your passport until you exit the Schengen area, which must be no more than three months after your initial entry.
  • During each six months period, you will have three months of visa-free travel within the Schengen area.
  • When you leave the Schengen area after three months, you must wait another three  months  before you can apply to enter the Schengen area again without a visa.
  • Ensure your passport is stamped upon exiting the Schengen area.
What do I need to enter the Schengen area?
  • A U.S. passport (with applicable visas, if needed), valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area.
  • A justifiable reason for your travel.
  • Proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay.
  • Compliance with any other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.
What happens if I am denied entry?
  • You are subject to the foreign country’s laws and regulations.
  • You are financially responsible for returning to your place of origin outside the Schengen area.
  • You may contact the embassy of the country you wish to visit to learn more about its entry requirements and to find out whether you need a visa to enter the Schengen area.
How can my Travel Agent help me if I am denied entry?
  • We can give you contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
  • We can help you arrange alternate transportation such as flights to return home or to another country.
  • We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision whether to permit your entry, nor can we intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.
  • Because countries independently determine their entry requirements which can change at any time; coupled with our inability to intimately know our clients background and situations; the Travel Agent cannot be responsible for your denied entry.
What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?
  • All European Union countries, except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom, are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement.
  • In addition, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are also members of the Schengen Borders Agreement (but they are not European Union members)
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