What European Countries Are Not In Schengen Zone?

Schengen Area is the world’s third-largest area by population and seventh-largest by area. Likewise, the Schengen area is the world’s third most significant economic might, and people here enjoy one of the highest living standards. It is pertinent to mention that not all European countries are in the Schengen area. 

Below, we have compiled a list of European countries not in the Schengen area. 

United Kingdom

Not long ago, the United Kingdom was the second most significant economic power in European Union, second only to Germany. However, it left the EU, citing political and economic reasons. However, it is pertinent here to mention that residents of the UK enjoyed the free movement of goods and people, but all of this ended in January 2020. 

Since then, inflation in the country has been on the rise, whereas the country has been struggling to overcome the shortage of manpower. If the UK decides to join the Schengen area, it will be a major boost to the collective economy of the region. 

Ireland

Ireland is not a part of the Schengen Area, despite being a member state of the European Union (EU). There are a few reasons why Ireland has chosen not to join the Schengen Agreement, which was signed in 1985 and allows for the free movement of people and goods across borders without border checks.

Firstly, Ireland has a unique history and relationship with the UK, its nearest neighbour. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area either, and both countries share a Common Travel Area (CTA) that predates the EU. The CTA allows Irish and British citizens to move freely between the two countries without needing a passport or border checks. Joining the Schengen Area could compromise this long-standing agreement and make it more difficult for Irish and British citizens to move freely across the Irish border.

Secondly, Ireland has always maintained a strict policy on immigration and border control, and joining the Schengen Area would require Ireland to give up some control over its borders. This concerns many Irish politicians and citizens who fear it could lead to an influx of immigrants and refugees, particularly in light of the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe.

Finally, logistical and economic considerations have led Ireland to remain outside the Schengen Area. As an island nation, Ireland has limited land borders and has invested heavily in the airport and seaport security. Joining the Schengen Area would require significant changes to these systems and would likely lead to increased costs and bureaucracy.

In summary, Ireland’s decision not to join the Schengen Area is based on unique historical, political, and logistical factors. While the benefits of the Schengen Agreement are clear, for Ireland, the potential risks and challenges associated with joining outweigh the advantages.

Romania 

As many other EU member states, Romania has expressed interest in joining the Schengen Area but has faced several obstacles and delays. The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries where passport and border control have been abolished at mutual borders.

Romania has not yet become a full member of the Schengen Area mainly because of concerns over corruption and the rule of law. Since the EU accession in 2007, Romania has faced scrutiny from other EU member states regarding its progress in meeting the criteria for Schengen membership. In particular, there have been concerns about corruption and the independence of the judiciary.

The European Commission has repeatedly emphasized that progress in the fight against corruption and strengthening the rule of law are essential for Romania to join the Schengen Area. The Commission has also called on Romania to implement a series of reforms, including establishing an independent and effective system for combating corruption and the reform of the judiciary.

In recent years, Romania has made some progress in addressing these concerns. For example, in 2018, the Romanian government adopted a new law on preventing and combatting money laundering and terrorism financing, which the European Commission praised. In addition, the Romanian government has launched several initiatives to improve the independence and efficiency of the judiciary.

However, despite these positive developments, concerns about corruption and the rule of law persist. In 2019, the European Commission expressed concerns over the independence of the Romanian judiciary. In 2020, it noted that Romania had yet to comprehensively implement a series of corruption and judicial independence reforms.

In addition to concerns over corruption and the rule of law, Romania has faced opposition from some EU member states.

Bulgaria 

Bulgaria is a southeastern European country that is not yet a member of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passports and other types of border control at their common borders. Bulgaria has been working towards joining the Schengen Area for many years but has not yet met all the requirements. There are several reasons why Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Area.

One of the main reasons is the corruption and organized crime in Bulgaria. The European Union (EU) has been working closely with Bulgaria to combat corruption and organized crime, which are significant challenges for the country. The EU has set specific benchmarks for Bulgaria to meet in combating corruption and organized crime, and the country has made progress in meeting these benchmarks. However, the EU still considers Bulgaria one of the countries with the highest levels of corruption in Europe.

Another reason Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Area is the issue of migration. The EU has been concerned about illegal migration into Europe and has been implementing policies to control and manage migration flows. Bulgaria is located at the EU’s external border, and its border with Turkey has been a significant entry point for migrants into Europe. The EU has been working with Bulgaria to improve its border management and to prevent illegal migration, but there are still concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.

In addition, there have been concerns about the capacity of Bulgaria’s law enforcement agencies to manage its borders and prevent cross-border crime effectively. The EU has been supporting Bulgaria regarding training and technical assistance, but there are still questions about its ability to manage its borders effectively.

Finally, there is also the issue of political will.

Cyprus 

Cyprus is a small island country in the Eastern Mediterranean, which joined the European Union (EU) on May 1, 2004. While it has been a member of the EU for almost two decades, it is not a part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a region in Europe where the free movement of people without border controls is allowed. The question of why Cyprus is not a part of the Schengen Area is complex and has a multifaceted answer.

One of the primary reasons for Cyprus’s exclusion from the Schengen Area is its ongoing territorial dispute. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded and occupied the island’s northern part. As a result, the Republic of Cyprus only controls the southern part of the island. In contrast, the northern part is administered by the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which Turkey only recognizes. This political situation makes it challenging for Cyprus to meet the Schengen criteria of securing its borders, as it does not have complete control over its territory.

Furthermore, Cyprus has struggled to meet the technical requirements for joining the Schengen Area. To become a part of Schengen, countries must demonstrate that they have adequate systems to manage their borders, including border checks, visa issuance, and passport control. The European Commission has repeatedly criticized Cyprus for its shortcomings in implementing the Schengen standards. 

Serbia

The primary reason why Serbia is not part of the Schengen Area is that it is not a member of the European Union (EU). EU member states signed the Schengen Agreement, and the European Union set the rules of the Schengen Area. Therefore, countries not members of the EU cannot become part of the Schengen Area without first joining the EU.

Another reason why Serbia is not part of the Schengen Area is because it has not yet met all the necessary conditions for accession to the EU. One of the conditions for joining the EU is to implement all the necessary reforms, including political, economic, and legal reforms. Serbia is currently implementing these reforms and has made progress in recent years. However, there are still several areas where Serbia needs to make further progress before becoming an EU member state and, therefore, before becoming part of the Schengen Area.

One of the areas where Serbia needs to make further progress is in the fight against corruption and organized crime. The EU has been closely monitoring Serbia’s progress in this area and has identified several areas where further improvements are needed. Additionally, Serbia needs to improve its human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of minorities and freedom of the press.

In conclusion, Serbia is not part of the Schengen Area because it is not a member of the European Union and has not yet met all the necessary conditions for accession to the EU. Serbia needs to continue its reforms and make further progress in several areas before becoming an EU member state and joining the Schengen Area.