Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is a result of the Schengen Agreement, a decision taken by the European Union (then European Economic Community) to remove national border control and immigration officers within the countries and states that are part of the agreement. The Schengen Area adopts a common visa policy, and for general purposes it operates as one country, since there are no physical barriers between the members that are geographically located next to, or in between other members. Most of the Schengen Area territories extinguished internal borders, with few separated by sea and non-Schengen countries, but developed infrastructure links all members. The European Union sought to harmonise the conditions of entry in its territory, mainly concentrated over mainland Europe. Currently there are 26 members taking part in the agreement, however some non-EU states, such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein are included. The abolition of visas and passport checks in these countries and states facilitates general business functions, encouraging free movement for people, transit of goods and tourism. The name Schengen relates to the town where the agreement was signed, Schengen, in Luxembourg.