Editing European Union (section)

==== Schengen Area ====
{{Main|Schengen Area}}

[[File:Map of the Schengen Area.svg|thumb|upright=1|Map of the Schengen Area
 {{Leftlegend|#003399|Schengen Area}}
 {{Leftlegend|#46a43b|Countries ''de facto'' participating}}
 {{Leftlegend|#ffd617|Members of the EU committed by treaty to join the Schengen Area in the future}}
]]

The Schengen Area is an area comprising 29 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and all other types of [[border control]] at their mutual borders. Being an element within the wider [[area of freedom, security and justice]] policy of the EU, it mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under [[Visa policies in the European Union|a common visa policy]] for international travel purposes. The area is named after the 1985 [[Schengen Agreement]] and the 1990 [[Schengen Convention]], both signed in [[Schengen, Luxembourg]]. Of the 27 EU member states, 25 participate in the Schengen Area. Of the EU members that are not part of the Schengen Area, one—[[Cyprus and the European Union|Cyprus]]—is legally obligated to join the area in the future; [[Ireland and the European Union|Ireland]] maintains an [[Opt-outs in the European Union|opt-out]], and instead operates [[Visa policy of Ireland|its own visa policy]]. The four [[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA) member states, [[Iceland–European Union relations|Iceland]], [[Liechtenstein-European Union relations|Liechtenstein]], [[Norway-European Union relations|Norway]], and [[Switzerland-European Union relations|Switzerland]], are not members of the EU, but have signed agreements in association with the Schengen Agreement. Also, three [[European microstates]] – [[Monaco]], [[San Marino]] and the [[Vatican City]] – maintain open borders for passenger traffic with their neighbours, and are therefore considered ''de facto'' members of the Schengen Area due to the practical impossibility of travelling to or from them without transiting through at least one Schengen member country.