What is the Schengen Agreement, and how does it affect the life of an ordinary tourist

Everyone has a rumor: "Schengen agreement". However, not many know what it is, and how it differs from similar legislation of the European Union. And the very word "Schengen" remains incomprehensible. In addition, every year the list of countries entering the notorious zone is changing. There are also states that signed the agreement, but nevertheless require foreigners to open national visas to visit their territory. And there are such (mostly dwarf states) that have not entered the zone, but de facto admit uncontrolled entry from neighboring countries. Let's look at the specifics of this agreement so that we do not have unnecessary problems with border guards when crossing borders.

The Schengen agreement was signed in June 1985 by only five states: Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and France. The idea of creating this document belongs to the Benelux countries, between which a tripartite agreement on a visa-free visit existed before. The signing of the agreement took place on board the ship "Princess Maria Astrid", which stood in the middle of the Moselle River at the convergence of the borders of the FRG, France and Luxembourg. The nearest settlement was the coastal village "Schengen". Therefore, the signed document was named after her. It became known as the "Schengen Agreement".

It provided for a gradual refusal of border control between these states. Five years later, in 1990, the Convention on the application of the provisions of this agreement was signed, and five years later, in March 1995, it earned, that is, the so-called Schengen zone was created. By that time, two more countries joined the international instrument - Spain and Portugal. De jure the Schengen Agreement ceased to exist in May 1999, when the Amsterdam Treaty entered into force. According to this document, the provisions on visa-free entry within the zone were included in the general EU legislation.

Thus, the rules of the Schengen Agreement operate within the de facto zone. What do you need to know about an ordinary tourist from a country that is not part of the EU - such as Russia, Ukraine, etc.? First, that not all states that signed the above-mentioned agreement are included in the zone. For example, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the treaty, but only in the field of police and judicial cooperation. To visit these countries, foreigners need a special national visa. Also the Agreement does not apply to the overseas territories of European countries within the zone: the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Norway. For foreigners who have a Schengen visa with a single entry, it is necessary to remember one thing. When they enter the dwarf state of Andorra, they leave the zone, and they can simply not be allowed back.

There is one more difficulty: not all Schengen countries-2013 (the list is quite voluminous, including 30 states) are included in the notorious zone of visa-free control. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Croatia acceded to the document. However, both for their citizens and for foreigners who have national visas for these countries, a special permit is required to enter the territory of the Schengen area.