You may think of Europe as a singular place, but it is a complicated continent made up of 44 countries that are often grouped together in different ways for different reasons. Most countries on the European continent are members of the European Union (EU), though there are a handful of countries that are not. There are three main groupings to know about if you’re planning on visiting multiple countries during your trip.
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- European Union: This is the political union of 27 European countries. The majority of these member states use the Euro as the official currency, but there are a few exceptions that have not yet adopted it.
- European Economic Area (EEA):Â This is an economic zone that includes all 27 countries of the EU, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein that allows for open trade and movement between countries. Switzerland is not an EU or EEA member but Swiss nationals hold the same rights to live and work in the EEA as other nationals.
- Schengen Area:Â This is an area of open borders, comprising of 26 countries that are both within and outside of the EU. When traveling from one Schengen Area country to another, there are no passport checks. Not all EU countries, such as Ireland, are a part of the Schengen Area and others may still be working towards joining.
