Schengen area grows again

Planning a trip to Europe? The Schengen Convention is about to make it a little easier. (The “Schengen Area” is the common name for member countries who have implemented the agreement).As of December 21, nine new countries -- Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary -- will be added.

What does this mean for travellers?

If you’re not familiar with the Schengen Convention, it’s the agreement whereby member countries have common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. Internal border controls among member countries have been abolished.

In other words, if you plan to visit more than one of the 22 countries involved, a Schengen visa will cover the entire area. Generally, most travellers do not need a visa for stays than 90 days, unless travelling for work, research or study.

However, since border post and controls between member countries have been abolished travel delays, particularly on the roadways, have significantly decreased. In other words, the more countries involved, the easier it is to get around without hassle.

Many of the European Union countries have also signed the Schengen Convention, but the United Kingdom and Ireland are exceptions. Switzerland will be the next country to implement the Schengen agreement sometime in 2008.