section_path: Current members
section_name: Current members
paragraph_text: Current members
  
  The Schengen Area consists of 29 countries, including four which are not members of the European Union – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Iceland and Norway are part of the Nordic Passport Union and are officially classified as states associated with the Schengen activities of the European Union. Switzerland was allowed to participate in the same manner in 2008, and Liechtenstein in 2011.
  
  Romania and Bulgaria are the newest members of the Schengen Area, with border controls lifted for air and sea travel on 31 March 2024 and land border controls lifted effective 1 January 2025, more than 17 years after they acceded to the European Union. In 2011 the European Commission concluded that the two countries had fulfilled all technical accession criteria, and their participation was approved by the European Parliament. However this was rejected by the Council of Ministers, with some countries (such as Denmark and Finland) citing concerns about shortcomings in anti-corruption measures and in the fight against organised crime. The Netherlands conditioned approval for joining the Schengen Area on positive reports under the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification. Austria was the last country to end their veto, after series of negotiations to address concerns that the countries were a major transit route for illegal immigration to the country.
  
  De facto, the Schengen Area also includes four European micro-states – Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City – that maintain open or semi-open borders with other Schengen member countries.
  
  Ireland negotiated opt-outs from Schengen and continues to operate border controls with other EU member states, while at the same time being part of the open-border Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom (a former EU member that had held a similar opt-out) and the Crown Dependencies (Bailiwick of Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey).