Is Prague Part of Schengen?
Prague, the beautiful capital city of the Czech Republic, is indeed part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a zone comprising 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Agreement was signed on June 14, 1985, in the small village of Schengen in Luxembourg. It aimed to create a borderless area within Europe where people could move freely without facing any immigration checks or controls. The agreement has since evolved into what we now know as the Schengen Area.
The member countries of the Schengen Area include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (not an EU member), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,Slovenia,S spain , Sweden , and Switzerland (not an EU member).
Benefits of Being a Part of the Schengen Area
The inclusion of Prague in the Schengen Area brings several benefits for both residents and visitors. These benefits include:
- Freedom of Movement: As part of the Schengen Agreement, residents and visitors can travel freely within all member countries without having to go through border controls.
- Simplified Travel Procedures: With no passport checks within the Schengen Area’s internal borders or at airports when traveling between member countries by air or land transport becomes much more convenient and hassle-free.
- Ease of Business and Trade: The Schengen Area also promotes seamless business and trade activities between member countries, as there are no restrictions on the movement of goods and services.
Border Controls within the Schengen Area
It is important to note that while there are no passport controls at the internal borders of the Schengen Area, some countries may still conduct random checks to ensure security. These checks are usually carried out near the external borders or at transportation hubs.
Additionally, Schengen visa holders must enter the Schengen Area through the country that issued their visa. However, once inside, they can freely travel to other member countries without further immigration formalities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prague is indeed part of the Schengen Area. Being a part of this borderless zone brings numerous benefits for both residents and visitors, including freedom of movement and simplified travel procedures. So if you’re planning a trip to Prague or any other Schengen country, you can enjoy exploring multiple European destinations without any hassle or inconvenience.