Which Countries Are Not in Schengen: Eastern Europe

Most of Eastern Europe sits outside the Schengen Area, and the rules are less straightforward than a simple in/out list – Bulgaria and Romania joined Schengen for air and sea travel in 2024 but land border checks are still in place, which trips up a lot of trip planning. Here’s the accurate, current breakdown.

---

Eastern European Countries NOT in Schengen (Full List)

These countries are outside the Schengen Area entirely, with their own visa and border policies:

• Albania
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Serbia
• North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• Belarus
• Russia

None of these are EU members either (though Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Moldova are EU candidate countries at various stages). Each sets its own visa policy, and a Schengen visa does not grant entry to any of them.

The Bulgaria and Romania Exception (Important — Most Guides Get This Wrong)

This is the detail that changes travel planning more than any other on this list: Bulgaria and Romania are EU members and implemented the Schengen agreement for air and sea borders starting March 2024. That means if you fly directly between Bulgaria/Romania and another Schengen country, you go through Schengen-style checks, not full border control.

However, land border checks between Bulgaria/Romania and neighboring Schengen countries were still in place as of early 2026, with no confirmed date for when (or if) land border implementation completes. This is genuinely unsettled and worth checking close to your travel date if your itinerary involves a land crossing — for example, driving from Bulgaria into Greece, or Romania into Hungary.

Practical effect: if you’re flying into Sofia or Bucharest from elsewhere in Schengen, you’ll experience a lighter, Schengen-style entry process. If you’re planning a road trip crossing a Bulgaria/Romania land border, expect to still go through a passport check.

Schengen Countries Bordering Eastern Europe (For Context)

For your itinerary planning, these neighbors ARE in Schengen:

• Croatia (joined fully, including land borders, in 2023)
• Greece
• Hungary
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Czechia
• Slovenia

This matters because it creates natural “border crossing” points in any Balkans-to-Western-Europe itinerary. Crossing from Serbia into Croatia, or from Bosnia into Croatia, means a real passport check even though you might be only a short drive between two EU-adjacent countries.

What This Means for Your Itinerary

If you’re combining Schengen and non-Schengen countries (a very common Balkans itinerary — say, Croatia → Bosnia → Serbia → Bulgaria), your 90-day Schengen visa clock pauses while you’re in the non-Schengen countries. This is actually useful: time spent in Bosnia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, or North Macedonia does not count against your 90-in-180 Schengen allowance. A long Balkans trip can meaningfully extend your total time in Europe without breaching Schengen overstay rules, as long as you track the days correctly.

Border crossings between non-Schengen countries (e.g., Bosnia to Serbia, Serbia to Montenegro) typically involve a passport check but are usually fast for travelers from visa-exempt countries. These are far less bureaucratic than they sound — most are a 5-10 minute stop, not a lengthy process.

ETIAS (starting 2026) applies only to Schengen entries for visa-exempt nationalities (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and others). It does not apply to entries into Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, or the other non-Schengen Balkan countries — those have their own separate entry requirements, typically simpler and visa-free for short stays for most Western passport holders.

FAQ

Is Bulgaria in Schengen in 2026?

Yes. Bulgaria is a full Schengen member as of 2026. The European Commission confirms that Bulgaria and Romania became full members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, after internal land border checks were lifted. Travellers entering Bulgaria from outside Schengen should expect normal external Schengen border procedures. Check the official European Commission Bulgaria and Romania Schengen update before travel.

Is Kosovo in Schengen?

No. Kosovo is not in the Schengen Area or the European Union. Kosovo passport holders gained visa-free travel rights to the EU from January 1, 2024, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but that does not make Kosovo a Schengen member. See the official European Commission Kosovo visa-free travel update.

Is Turkey in Schengen?

No. Turkey is not in the Schengen Area. It has its own entry rules and official Republic of Türkiye e-Visa system. Time spent in Turkey does not count against your Schengen 90/180-day allowance because Turkey is outside Schengen.

When will the Western Balkans join Schengen?

There are no confirmed dates. Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia are all part of the EU enlargement process, but EU accession and Schengen membership are separate steps. A country normally needs to join the EU first, then meet Schengen technical and political requirements. For the latest status, check the official EU enlargement page and the European Commission country pages for each Western Balkan candidate.

Last checked June 2026 — Schengen Traveler, EU official

Related Articles

• Schengen vs Non-Schengen Eastern Europe
• Eastern Europe Visa Rules 2026: Complete Country Guide
• What Is ETIAS and Do I Need It for Eastern Europe?
• Will ETIAS Affect My Eastern Europe Trip?
• Does ETIAS Apply to Serbia, Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro?
• Eastern Europe Countries Not in the EU

“`