Europe, European Union and Schengen Area [Key Differences Explained]

When you hear terms like “Europe,” “European Union (EU),” or “Schengen Area,” it’s easy to feel confused. Aren’t they all the same thing? The answer is: not really! These three terms are connected, but they mean very different things. Let’s break it down step by step so you can understand what each one is and how they relate to each other.

Europe is a continent. Europe is not a single country. It’s one of the seven continents of the world, like Asia, Africa, and South America.

As per the United Nations, Europe is home to around 44 countries, however, it has always been a topic of debate regarding the total number of countries in Europe.

The number of countries in Europe depends on how different groups define Europe. For example:
The Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights count 46 countries. The European Higher Education Area includes 48 countries. The European Cultural Convention and the European Olympic Committees recognize 50 countries.

Europe is incredibly diverse, with a variety of languages, cultures, traditions, and histories.

When we say “Europe,” we are mostly talking about the physical land and the countries within it. There’s no single government that rules over all of Europe.

Some of the most well-known countries in Europe include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. But it also includes smaller nations like Monaco and Liechtenstein.

So, Europe is simply the big geographical region where many countries are located.

You can click here to learn more about Europe in detail. 

The European Union is NOT a continent or a geographical place. It’s a political and economic partnership between 27 countries in Europe. These countries have agreed to work together on certain things, like trade, laws, and policies.

The countries in the European Union are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Not every country in Europe is part of the European Union. For example, Norway and Switzerland are in Europe but not in the European Union.

EU countries agree on a lot of shared rules about trade, the environment, workers’ rights, and more. This helps make things smoother between member countries.

Many (but not all) EU countries use the euro (€) as their currency. Countries like France, Germany, and Spain use the euro, but countries like Poland and Hungary still use their own currencies.

The EU has its own flag is blue with 12 golden stars in a circle, symbolizing unity and harmony. The picture you saw above is the flag of the European Union.

The European Union is not a single country, however, it has a parliament, courts, and other institutions that make decisions for its member countries.

You can click here to learn more about the European Union in detail. 

Now comes the Schengen Area, which is different from both Europe and the EU. It’s a group of European countries that have agreed to let people travel freely across their borders without needing a passport or visa. Here’s what makes it special:

No Border Checks:
If you travel from France to Spain or from Germany to Italy (and both are Schengen countries), you don’t need to stop at a border checkpoint. It’s as easy as traveling between two states in the same country.

Not the Same as the EU:
Some EU countries, like Ireland and Cyprus, are NOT part of the Schengen Area. Meanwhile, some countries that aren’t in the EU, like Norway and Switzerland, ARE part of the Schengen Area.

Travel Freedom:
This is great for tourists and businesses because it makes moving around Europe faster and more convenient.

There are 29 Schengen countries as of December 2024. Some Non-Schengen countries are planning on joining Schengen Area soon in 2025.

The Schengen Area countries are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

You can click here to learn more about the Schengen Area in detail. 

Let’s compare Europe, the European Union, and the Schengen Area to clear up any confusion.

Europe
What is it: A continent
Number of Countries: Around 44 as per the UN
Borders: Regular borders between countries
Membership: All European Countries

European Union
What is it: A political and economic partnership
Number of Countries: 27
Borders: No special border policy for all EU
Membership: Only EU member countries

Schengen Area
What is it: A travel agreement between countries
Number of Countries: 29
Borders: Free movement without passport checks
Membership: EU + some non-EU countries

Even though these three concepts are different, they have some connections:

Geography:
All EU and Schengen countries are in Europe.

Cooperation:
Both the EU and the Schengen Area focus on cooperation between countries to make life easier for people.

Shared Members:
Most EU countries are also part of the Schengen Area, so they have both free trade and free travel agreements.

Example 1:
The United Kingdom is in Europe, but it’s NOT in the EU or the Schengen Area. That’s why you need a passport to travel between the UK and an EU country like France.

Example 2:
Norway is in Europe and the Schengen Area, but NOT in the EU. That means you can travel freely to Norway from other Schengen countries, but Norway makes its own decisions about things like trade.

Example 3:
France is in Europe, the EU, and the Schengen Area. It’s part of everything. So the travel within Schengen Countries and Trade with European Countries is easy for France. 

Europe, the European Union, and the Schengen Area are closely connected but serve different purposes.

Europe is the continent where many countries are located, the EU is a political and economic union of certain European countries, and the Schengen Area is about free travel between participating nations. While these concepts overlap in some ways, each plays a unique role in shaping how people live, work, and travel in Europe.

If you’re fascinated by Europe’s opportunities or want to travel and work in one of its countries, understanding these differences is essential.

For example, moving freely across Schengen countries doesn’t mean you automatically have the right to work there.

Each country has its own rules, especially for work visas.

If you don’t live in Europe, the EU, or the Schengen Area but dream of working abroad, we can help guide you through the process of obtaining a work visa.

Feel free to contact us for personalized advice and support to make your European journey a reality!