In short: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Moldova are not in the Schengen Area. These countries operate independent border controls. Time spent in them does not count toward your Schengen 90-day limit.
The Full List for Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe and the Balkans contains a mix of Schengen members and non-members. Here is the breakdown as of June 2026:
Not in Schengen (Western Balkans and wider Eastern Europe):
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Albania
- Montenegro
- Kosovo
- North Macedonia
- Ukraine
- Moldova
- Georgia (also outside Schengen, though further east)
In Schengen (Eastern European members):
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Bulgaria (joined fully in early 2025)
- Romania (joined fully in early 2025)
Cyprus is an EU member but not yet in Schengen. Ireland is an EU member with its own Common Travel Area and is not in Schengen.
Why This Matters for Your Trip
The Schengen/non-Schengen distinction affects three things: whether ETIAS applies (Schengen only, from Q4 2026), whether EES biometrics apply (Schengen borders only), and whether time counts against your 90/180-day allowance.
For travellers planning a multi-country Eastern Europe route, this means days in Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, or Montenegro are entirely free from Schengen counting. A traveller who spends 45 days in the Balkans and then crosses into Hungary has not used any Schengen days. They still have the full 90/180 available.
This is why long-stay travellers frequently structure Eastern European trips with Balkans time as a buffer between Schengen periods.
The Honest Complication
Non-Schengen does not mean visa-free for everyone. While citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can enter Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo visa-free, this is not universal. Always check the specific entry requirements for your nationality for each country on your itinerary. Non-Schengen entry rules are set independently by each country and can differ significantly from Schengen rules.
FAQ
Is Bulgaria in Schengen in 2026?
Yes. Bulgaria completed full Schengen integration in early 2025 and now operates EES at its external borders. It is a full Schengen member as of 2026.
Is Kosovo in Schengen?
No. Kosovo is not in Schengen or the EU. Kosovo citizens gained Schengen visa-free travel rights in 2024, but Kosovo itself is not a Schengen member.
Is Turkey in Schengen?
No. Turkey is not in the Schengen Area. It has its own e-Visa system for entry. Time in Turkey does not count against Schengen days.
When will the Western Balkans join Schengen?
No confirmed dates. Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia, and North Macedonia are all EU candidate countries, but EU accession and Schengen membership are separate processes, and no firm timeline exists for any of them.
Last checked June 2026 — Schengen Traveler, EU official
Created by WanderGuide Travel Desk
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