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Non-Schengen Countries

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Non-Schengen Countries

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What are Non-Schengen Countries?

The Schengen region refers to 27 European countries that have a formal agreement among themselves to ease travel restrictions across their respective borders. However, Europe is a vast continent, and the Schengen area does not cover all of Europe. Many countries are not signatories to the Schengen agreement. These are commonly called non-Schengen countries.

International travellers are required to apply for and obtain a separate visa to travel to non-Schengen European countries. Read on to learn in detail about Non-Schengen countries, visa applications, and other requirements.
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List of Non-Schengen Countries

As stated above, not every European country is a Schengen country by default. The list of Non-Schengen countries is as follows

The Non-Schengen Countries List

Albania

Andorra

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Holy See

Kosovo

Moldova

Monaco

Montenegro

North Macedonia

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom (UK)

Vatican City

Note: Travelers with a Schengen visa can visit some of the above countries despite them not being a part of Schengen. This includes countries like Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, Turkey, and a few others. It is advisable to check their visa regulations before planning a trip.

European Countries Not in Schengen

The list of European countries not in Schengen is given below

The Non-Schengen European Countries List

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Ireland

Romania

UK

Non-EU Schengen Countries

The European Union (EU) is a political & economic union of 27 European countries. Some countries are not part of the EU group but form part of the Schengen region. The list of non-EU Schengen countries is as follows

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Switzerland

Visa Requirements for Non-Schengen Countries

The specific visa requirements for non-Schengen countries differ from one another. However, the basic principles of applying for and obtaining a visa remain the same. This includes a valid passport, travel insurance, sufficient financial resources, a declared travel itinerary along with arrangements for accommodation, and a legitimate purpose for the visit.

Countries in the non-Schengen area typically have restrictions on travellers from the Schengen zone. However, many of these countries are members of the European Union having an agreement for visa-free travel with Schengen countries. It is recommended that travellers diligently check the visa regulations of a specific country they plan to visit.

Why is Travel Insurance Important?

Travel Insurance is important for international travellers on account of the following reasons

Mandatory Requirement

Many countries have now made it mandatory for foreign travelers to purchase travel insurance before applying for a visa. Your visa application will not be accepted without adequate travel insurance.

Provides Health Insurance

In case of emergencies, lack of proper treatment may worsen the health condition and result in fatalities. Health insurance is essential to cover the risk of medical emergencies while travelling abroad. It covers the expenses of hospitalization, medication, and evacuation if necessary.

Coverage for Unforeseen Events

Unavoidable flight delays and trip cancellations lead to heavy financial losses for international travelers. Travel Insurance covers such risks and alleviates your financial burden.

Covers Inconveniences Abroad

Travelers may face several inconveniences such as loss of travel documents, personal belongings, cash, and theft in a foreign land. Travel Insurance provides immediate support to deal with such mishaps.

Covers Third-Party Claims

Legal claims can arise if you inadvertently cause loss or damage to other people or their properties during your stay abroad. Travel Insurance is helpful to cover such expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions on Non-Schengen Countries

Some European countries, like the UK, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, etc., are not part of the Schengen agreement. Most of these countries desired to maintain independent control over their borders and opted to stay out of Schengen. They have separate visa and immigration policies.

International travelers who plan to visit any of the non-Schengen European countries should apply specifically to that country and get the visa. The visa policy may vary slightly among these countries. Some non-Schengen countries do allow you to visit with a Schengen visa. Please refer to the details on the official website of the embassy.

Although Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU), it is very much a part of Schengen. So you can visit Switzerland with a Schengen visa.

The requirement for travel insurance may differ among countries in the non-Schengen area. Even if it is not mandatory, foreign travelers should obtain travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen events.

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