Schengen is the name applied to a series of agreements that eliminate border controls between most but not all European countries.

The government of the following countries signed the Schengen agreements :

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden

Ireland and the United Kingdom, although members of the European Union, are not part of the Schengen area.

Canadians and several other nationalities do not require visas for short term visits to Schengen countries as long as they do not engage in non-tourist activities. Click here to consult the list of countries exempt from requesting a short stay visa for France.

However, prior to leaving their country of permanent residence for Europe, foreigners are strongly advised to contact the embassy or consulate of the Schengen countries they plan to visit to verify how long they are authorized to stay in each country without a visa. This is particularly important for travellers who plan to stay in Schengen countries for more than 90 days.

Travellers should ensure that their passports are stamped on entry and exit at the external borders of the Schengen area. The passport stamps serve as documentary evidence of a traveller's length of stay in Schengen territory. Officers at ports of entry might wave travellers through but it is in a traveller's interest to request an entry stamp. There is normally no passport control at borders between Schengen countries, and therefore the absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities.

It is important to note that the rules of Schengen countries governing the entry of foreigners is still evolving. For the most up-to-date and authoritative information, you should contact the embassy or consulate of the countries you plan to visit.