Author: Anna Lorrain
Date: 19/05/2025
The Schengen Area celebrates a double anniversary! 40 years ago, the Schengen Agreement was signed, and 30 years ago, the Schengen Implementation Convention came into force - in short, borders disappeared and the foundation for a borderless Europe was laid. Reason enough to celebrate this European achievement and present some interesting and fun facts from the Schengen universe.
Once upon a time on March 26, 1995...
Let's imagine this day: On March 26, 1995, the day the Schengen Agreement was implemented, an elderly woman from Luxembourg packs a small travel bag. Inside: passport, change of clothes, some cash in French francs, German marks, and Belgian francs. She is ready for the usual procedure at the border - controls, questions, waiting.
But this time, the travel bag remains unopened.
Because on this day, the borders between seven states - Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain disappeared. She simply drives off. From Luxembourg to Metz, to Trier, to Liège - without controls, without stamps, without stops. She comes back home - and the bag? It stays in the trunk - unopened. In the years to come, many other countries join, and the borderless area in Europe grows - until today!
Why is Schengen actually called Schengen?
The famous Schengen Agreement was signed in the border town of Schengen in Luxembourg - a wine-growing village with about 600 inhabitants that borders Germany and France at the tri-border region. Hardly any place has written so much European history with such a small area. The terms Schengen Area, Schengen Visa, etc., also result from this naming.
Why was the agreement signed on a ship?
The Schengen Agreement wasn't signed just anywhere, but on the hotel ship "MS Princesse Marie-Astrid" in the middle of the Moselle River. Why? Because it marks exactly the border line between Luxembourg, France, and Germany. Nothing was left to chance, even in the choice of location.
The first countries in borderless Europe
40 years ago, on June 14, 1985, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement. They are thus the five founding members of the Schengen Area. Ten years later, on March 26, 1995, the Schengen Agreement was implemented, and the borders disappeared among the member states (the so-called freedom of movement took effect). The latter was already signed by seven countries - the five founding members plus Portugal and Spain.
29 countries, one borderless area
The Schengen Area now includes 29 Schengen countries. This includes non-EU countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Most recently, Bulgaria and Romania fully joined the Schengen Area at the beginning of 2025. Among the EU states, only Ireland and Cyprus are not in the Schengen Area. Ireland has its own agreement, and Cyprus has already applied for membership, making it a candidate for accession.
Schengen would be the 7th largest country in the world
The Schengen Area is 4.5 million square kilometers in size and thus geographically larger than India. Schengen would be (if it were a country) the seventh largest country in the world, behind the USA, Brazil, and Australia.
5,600 kilometers of travel without borders
In the Schengen Area, you can drive from the North Cape in Norway to the southernmost point of Europe in Spain without having to show your passport once. That's about 5,600 kilometers across Europe - or 60 hours of driving without border controls. However, Schengen has been put to the test in recent years, as some countries have been conducting sporadic border controls due to the threat of terrorism.
Robert Schuman - the father of Schengen
The French citizen Robert Schuman (formerly of German nationality) is the father of Europe and thus also of the Schengen Area. On May 9, 1950, he presented the Schuman Plan for a united Europe, and since then, the date has been considered the birth of the European Union and is celebrated every year as "Europe Day." The idea behind it was to prevent a new war after the shadow of the first and second world wars.
3.5 million border crossings daily
About 3.5 million people cross the internal borders of the Schengen Area daily, whether for work, study, or private visits.
Schengen wine: the most European of all wines
Yes, it really exists: the town of Schengen produces wine - especially Pinot Gris and Riesling. Tastes like Europe, with a hint of Moselle.
The smallest capital
Valletta (Malta) is the smallest capital in Europe with just under 6,000 inhabitants - but a full-fledged Schengen member.
Subtropical islands in the Schengen Area
The Schengen Area includes islands located in the subtropical climate zone! These are the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. The Canary Islands belong to Spain, and Madeira and the Azores belong to Portugal - and thus all three also to the Schengen Area.
Protected specialties
In the Schengen Area, over 3,400 regional products are protected by EU law - from Parma ham to Roquefort. Products registered at the EU level must be produced, processed, and manufactured in the designated area according to specific criteria. German specialties such as Nuremberg gingerbread, Swabian spätzle, and Holstein Tilsiter are also included.
Schengen Museum to reopen in 2025
Just in time for the anniversary, the European Museum Schengen will reopen in new splendor after long renovation work - with exhibitions on borders, freedom, and integration. The symbolic ship Princess Marie-Astrid Europa will then be a central element of the new, immersive exhibition. The exact date of reopening is planned for June 14, 2025.
350 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are approximately 350 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Schengen Area, including famous places such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens, or the Alhambra in Granada, as well as the old town of Tallinn. Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (54), followed by Germany (51) and Spain (44) and France (44).
Mystery Flight in the Schengen Area
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has created a new concept of Mystery Flights. This little adventure within Europe is offered by the airline to members of its frequent flyer program "EuroBonus." The concept is unique: members redeem points and don't know where the journey will take them until departure (except that it will be in the Schengen Area). The first test flight took place in April 2024, and because this concept was such a great success, it was repeated in April 2025.
10.3 million Schengen visas
The Schengen Area is also popular among non-EU citizens. In 2023, 10.3 million Schengen visas were applied for the entire Schengen Area, of which 8.7 million were issued. The majority of travelers came from China, Turkey, and India. Learn more about the current Schengen visa statistics.
Most popular destinations in the Schengen Area
France is not only one of the best travel destinations in Europe but also the most popular travel country worldwide. No other country attracts more tourists than the land of the Eiffel Tower and the lavender-intoxicating Provence. Following France, Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Italy are the most popular travel countries.
Cinema without borders
Many European road movies would not be conceivable without Schengen - for example, "Before Sunrise" or "L'Auberge Espagnole." "L'Auberge Espagnole" is simultaneously a homage to the "Erasmus Generation," which would not exist in this way without Europe and Schengen. The sequel to "L'Auberge Espagnole" is called "Les Poupées russes" and is equally worth seeing.
Schengen on social media
The hashtag #Schengen has over 300,000 posts on Instagram - from travel photos to political memes to Moselle wine tastings. Some influencers have made challenge videos like this: "Three countries - one day" (e.g., Switzerland, France, Germany from Basel or Luxembourg, France, Belgium).
The city that lies in two countries
In Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy), the border runs right through a square. You can take a selfie - and stand with your left foot in Slovenia and your right foot in Italy. By the way, these two cities are currently European Capitals of Culture 2025.
The happiest people in the world
According to the World Happiness Report 2025, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive time. Denmark and Iceland follow in second and third place, followed by Sweden and the Netherlands. Thus, the first six places go to Schengen countries - especially in Northern Europe. The Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden) are traditionally the leaders in the happiness ranking. It is believed that strong social cohesion has a significant influence on general happiness.
Hiking without borders
Some long-distance hiking trails, such as the E3 or E5, lead through several Schengen states - no border controls, just blisters on your feet. In total, there are twelve European long-distance hiking trails (E1 to E12) that connect Europe.
Generation Schengen
Those born in 1995 will turn 30 in 2025 - and no longer know European borders from personal experience!
Schengen at the airport
Ironically, "Schengen" also has its own zone in airports - where you also travel "borderless" within the area. Most third-country nationals, on the other hand, do not need an extra airport transit visa for the Schengen Area if they are taking a connecting flight and remain in the international transit area. Find out here which third-country nationals need an airport transit visa for the Schengen Area.
Not everything without control
Although there are no passport controls at the internal borders, of course, you can randomly encounter police controls where you have to show your papers (identification or visa if applicable). This is because Schengen countries work closely together on security matters.
Continuous expansion of the Schengen Area
On January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area after controls at air and sea borders were previously lifted. Although Romania and Bulgaria have been part of the EU for some time, they were only able to meet the requirements for the Schengen Area now.
The longest anthem in the world
Greece has the longest anthem in the Schengen Area - indeed, in the whole world. With 158 verses, the Greek national anthem is by far the longest anthem in the world. Usually, only the first verse is played.
26 languages are spoken in the Schengen Area
The Schengen Area consists of many cultures and languages. In the Schengen Area, 26 languages meet: Bulgarian, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Croatian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, and Czech. Of course, there are also other minority languages such as Romansh, Sorbian, or Basque.
People live longest in Spain
People in Spain live to an average age of 83.6 years. They have the highest life expectancy in the EU and the Schengen Area. It is believed that this is due to the Mediterranean climate and diet. Life expectancy is lowest in Bulgaria. There, people die on average at 75.6 years.
Interested in traveling to the Schengen Area? Then think about the right Schengen travel insurance. Especially if you need a Schengen visa for your trip as a third-country national. With AXA, you'll receive a free quote for your visa-compliant Schengen insurance directly.
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