Andorra

Andorra has been part of a customs union with the EU since 1991, although it is not an EU customs territory for agricultural production. Andorra maintains customs control while remaining outside the Schengen area.

However, citizens with a Schengen visa can usually easily enter its territory.

Andorra is the only dwarf state that uses the euro as currency without a formal agreement with the EU. This happened due to the fact that before the introduction of the euro, Andorra did not have its own currency, but used the franc and the peso.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is the only dwarf country that is part of the European Economic Area (since May 1, 1995), thus being part of the EU single market with partial application of EU laws. Liechtenstein does not have diplomatic ties with one of the EU member states - Slovakia.

Monaco

Monaco is currently already applying some of the EU's political principles through a special relationship with EU member state France. Monaco is a full member of the European Customs Union and VAT area, applying most of the EU principles regarding VAT and excise duties. Monaco is a de facto member of the Schengen area and the Eurozone.

San Marino

San Marino has an open border and a customs union with the EU. San Marino also uses the euro and is allowed to mint its own coins.

Vatican

The Vatican is the smallest state in the world by territory. As a theocratic monarchy, it cannot join the EU, although it is the “heart” of Rome, the capital of member state Italy. The Vatican has open borders with Italy and plans to enter the Schengen information system.

Small European states are popular among tourists, and are in no way inferior to the resorts of Great Britain, France, and Spain. Tiny sizes add a certain zest and mystery, which is why Europeans love to vacation in such regions. Such countries include Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco and some others. It is worth highlighting the small residence of the Pope, which is located in the center of the capital of Italy, and in terms of the number of tourists it is in no way inferior to other regions of the world.

Resorts of Liechtenstein: a dwarf state in the center of Europe

Dwarf Liechtenstein is located in Central Europe. The tiny country's neighbors are Austria and Switzerland. Tourists come here every year to admire the picturesque landscapes, mountains and attractions of small settlements.

The capital of the principality is Vaduz. The city boasts a rich history and numerous attractions. The residence of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church is located on the territory of the main city. The visiting card of Vaduz is the princely castle, visible from anywhere in the capital. When visiting the country, it is recommended to visit the Cathedral of St. Florin, the old town, the Gothic chapel and the hotel.

The main street is interesting with its town hall, museums, shops, and lovers of delicious alcoholic drinks should visit the winery. The capital's post office is visited by philatelists who want to obtain rare stamps from past centuries or products of local residents. Every year, the local post office issues rare stamps that bring significant income to the principality.

In the southeast is the main ski resort of Liechtenstein, Malbün. Buses run here from the capital every day. The city is surrounded by 19 slopes suitable for skiing and snowboarding. Malbyn will delight all visitors to the region, as it has accessible infrastructure and good instructors. The area will also delight you with a fan park, an ice skating rink, luxury hotels, restaurants, bars and gyms.

Near Malbün is the village of Staeg. Fans of cross-country skiing love to visit this resort. The town has three trails that are illuminated at night. Small country, limited attractions and natural views. Liechtenstein is recommended for visiting on a daily basis with a basic excursion program.

Resorts of Luxembourg: a small state with many attractions

Luxembourg is located in the center of Europe and is one of the best countries on the continent in terms of living standards. The capital of the dwarf country is the city of the same name. In ancient and picturesque Luxembourg, it is worth admiring the fortress with its fortress gates, the long towers of the Three Acorns and the Citadel of the Holy Spirit. There is a park nearby, at the end of which there is a cliff. From there, residents and guests of the capital will be able to admire the ancient suburb of Bock and the ruins of the castle.

On the territory of the largest city, you should visit the Palace of the Grand Duke, the former Jesuit college, the Church of Saint-Michel, the chapel of Saint Quirin, the garden of the Spanish governor and the ancient monastery of Münster. Tourists in Luxembourg love to walk along the former underground casemates and the beautiful Royal Boulevard.

Little Wiltz is considered the capital of the Luxembourg Ardennes. Residents of the city are sure that spies and intelligence officers often meet here, but the citizens themselves will delight tourists with their friendliness and politeness. The visiting card of the settlement is the castle of the same name, which is more than eight centuries old. The structure is located on the Witches Tower. The castle is surrounded by a picturesque park. In the city, you should visit the Battle of the Bulge Museum and the Tannery Museum, where tasting of local beer is held.

The settlement is surrounded by a National Natural Park with well-equipped hiking trails. Near Wiltz there is a parachuting center. Every July, citizens and tourists have fun at an open-air music festival.

The village of Echternach is famous for its emerald cliffs and stone gorges. The town is often called a miniature Switzerland. Not far from the settlement, tourists love to walk along the picturesque Wolf Mouth canyon. The city of Berdorf is surrounded by natural attractions. Here you should visit an amazing arch-shaped rock, the winding and long Khals gorge and walk along the “wine road”, where locals treat tourists to young wine.

Luxembourg is famous for the balneological resort of Mondorf-les-Bains, where the climate reigns. In summer there is no suffocating heat, and in winter there is no severe frost. The town is protected from strong winds by hills. Thanks to the thermal springs in Mondorf, diseases of the joints, liver and gastrointestinal tract are successfully eliminated.

Resorts of Monaco: a small country on the French Riviera

Located on the Cote d'Azur, Monaco is extremely popular among wealthy tourists and world celebrities. Guests of the state will meet the prince, play in the legendary casino, enjoy the Formula 1 Grand Prix, luxurious hotels, the best restaurants and the annual exhibition of luxury yachts.

In the center of the country there is an “old city” where travelers are prohibited from settling. The Monaco-Ville area is interesting for the Grimaldi Palace, where the ruling family lives, the Cathedral with the grave of the wife of Prince Rainier III and Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, the Napoleon Museum, and the Historical Archives of the Princely Court. Guards of honor march on Palace Square every year. The historical center is famous for its museums: Old Monaco, Oceanographic and Waxworks.

Monte Carlo is considered the European capital of gambling. It is the center of endless celebration, luxurious life, festivals and fun. The entertainment district is regularly visited by European celebrities. In addition, the International Academy of Tourism is located on the site. Fans of architectural attractions in Monte Carlo will be able to admire Palace Square, the Prince's Palace and visit the National Museum. Families with children should visit the Maritime Museum and Oceanarium.

The youngest district of Monaco, Fontvieille, resembles a calm suburban suburb, although it is considered the industrial center of the principality. The visiting card of the area is the large Commercial Center. In Fontvieille, you should definitely admire the collection of vintage cars of Prince Rainier III. The Landscape Park with the Princess Grace Rose Garden and a children's playground is considered popular among Monaco residents and tourists. Fontvieille is also interested in the Expensive Sculpture, the Zoological Garden, the Maritime Museum, Philately and Numismatics, the Louis II Stadium and the heliport that connects the principality with the French Republic.

La Condamine is a business center and the most populous district of Monaco, famous for the ancient Church of Sainte-Devote, the Jardin-Exotic Monaco Exotic Park and the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. In the city center on the Princess Caroline Pedestrian Street there are numerous boutiques, bars, shops and restaurants and orange alleys.

Resorts of the Republic of Kosovo: Serbian historical center

The independent part of the former Yugoslavia, not recognized by Russia, is only at the initial stage of tourism development. Russian citizens consider Kosovo part of Serbia, so for now they avoid traveling there. People from other European countries come here for the ski resort and historical attractions.

In medieval times, this was the center of Serbian statehood. Modern Kosovo is considered a Muslim country, but on the territory of the republic there is a colossal number of Christian cultural and historical monuments. Before the war, almost two thousand churches and monasteries were located on the territory of the small state, many of which have survived to this day. For example, the Vysoki Decani monastery is famous for its amazing frescoes, thanks to which it is protected by UNESCO.

The only famous international resort in Kosovo is Brezovica. Even as part of Yugoslavia, this ski center was considered the best in the Balkans. The area has a developed infrastructure, several hotels and 16 ski slopes of varying difficulty. Due to the unique climate, snow falls early. Kosovo is landlocked; local residents have to relax on the artificial lakes Radonjic and Gazivode.

Resorts of San Marino: a tiny country in Italy

Tiny San Marino, larger than only Monaco and the Vatican, is the oldest European state. The country is surrounded on all sides by Italy. San Marino is considered a favorite destination for tourists and travelers who visit the country in large numbers every year.

For shopping lovers, several discount stores and shopping centers have been created. Tourists bring home clothes, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes, musical instruments and electronic devices from the country. At local restaurants you should enjoy the exquisite taste of Italian flatbread with sausage, tomato sauce and grated cheese, pasta with mint sauce, sweet raisin bread, croutons and cornflakes. Local beekeepers extract delicious honey from chestnut and acacia trees.

The visiting card of the capital and the whole country are the three towers of Guaita, Cesta and Montale. The medieval commune of Borgo Maggiore is interesting for its eponymous fortress, a town square where fairs are regularly held, a clock tower and the only helipad in the state.

The commune of Domagnano is famous for the small town of Torraccia, where there is an ancient fortress, which was the former observation tower of the Malatesta family. The Faetano area attracts with the Church of St. Paul, the commune of Montegiardino with its castle gates, narrow streets and the parish of San Lorenzo. Not far from the border of San Marino is the Aviation Museum.

The Vatican: the heart of Italian wealth

Keeping a huge number of secrets and secrets, the Vatican is located in the center of Rome and is the only one on the planet where the official language is Latin. The World Catholic Center has a helipad and a railway link to Italy.

The Vatican was founded in 326, but received sovereign autonomy only in 1929. Tourists from the Vatican usually take home coins with local symbols, postage stamps, and their own travel albums telling about local attractions and the history of the country.

The main attraction of the Vatican and Rome is St. Peter's Basilica. The place owes its name to the grave of the Apostle Peter, who, according to legend, rests in these places. The cathedral is the largest European temple, filled with numerous masterpieces - marble sculptures of Christ and the apostles, monuments to statesmen, majestic tombstones. In front of the shrine is the Oval Square, which is decorated with an obelisk brought from Egypt by the ancient Roman emperor Caligula, and picturesque fountains.

Opera lovers must visit Sant'Angelo. The majestic building was built back in 135 as the Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. The luxurious Vatican Gardens are suitable for outdoor walks, and from Mario's Hill you can enjoy beautiful views of the state and the capital of Italy.

Many tiny European countries boast a large influx of tourists who come to admire the many attractions, beautiful nature and special charm. While Kosovo is just beginning its tourism journey, the Vatican, Monaco, San Marino, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein have long received millions of travelers every year.

San Marino is one of the smallest states in the world with one of the most beautiful official names, the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino). And if the Vatican and Monaco are on everyone’s lips, then San Marino is rarely remembered. San Marino is divided into nine (!!!) regions. Loudly said areas, one of which has the same name San Marino - we come here. It does not have its own airport or railway station and you can get here along almost the only road leading from Rimini.

Rimini

By the way, in Rimini we spent the night at the Viserva - Terma di Sacramora hotel on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Although the hotel is 3*, it simply killed me with its hopelessness. I have never seen such terrible numbers even in Sri Lanka. But this is a European resort! Dinner at the hotel (we had paid for it in advance) was cold and tasteless - pasta and... pasta. Breakfast was designed for pregnant women suffering from toxicosis - tea and crackers, or rather vacuum-packed toast. I may be picky, but this is too much! On the other hand, it is unknown how much a night at the hotel cost. We didn’t choose him and trusted the travel agency, we decided that we would just sleep for the night and that’s all. And so it happened, we slept through the night and... our feet will no longer be there.

In the evening, and it was already about half past nine, we went out to walk around the area around the hotel. There was nowhere to go, the only road along the beach. The city seemed to have died out. The restaurants were all closed, apparently it was not the season yet. In the morning, going out onto the balcony, I was able to see the sea. To be honest, the width of the beaches, which stretched out from nowhere and nowhere, was, frankly, pleasing. But the sea, the sea turned out to be not ours - with stone “mountains” spoiling the whole view. I admit that, thanks to them, the beach is protected from strong waves and storms, but it’s not beautiful!

Let's return to San Marino. What struck me most was the fact that the average age of San Marino residents is 39 years old, but even more so were the conditions for obtaining citizenship. A child whose parents are citizens of San Marino, or at least one parent is a citizen, and the other is not identified, can become a citizen of the Most Serene Republic. If the second parent is not a citizen of San Marino, then the child can obtain citizenship only after reaching adulthood, provided that he has lived in San Marino for 18 years. Any person who has lived in the territory of San Marino for 30 years, or is married to a citizen of San Marino for at least 15 years can become a citizen!!! In general, San Marino citizenship is an unattainable dream!

We didn't have much time in San Marino, only two hours. But there were plans - well, they just weren’t there at first. Therefore, we decided to take a walk through the main attractions of the central part of the city, located on the peak of Monte Titano.

Traffic is prohibited in the city center - beautiful! I left the vehicle in the parking lot and went for a walk to the mountains, where magical landscapes of the hilly plain await you, and in addition, picturesque medieval fortresses. At the exit from the parking lot or at the entrance to the city center there is a policeman-regulator, indicating the direction of travel to tourists so that they do not get lost on the only road going up the mountain. Narrow streets, winding, climb up, forming tiny squares, alleys and dead ends. They lead tourists to where fortress towers proudly rise on the rocks, where there are shady paths, small cafes and... free toilets (don't think anything of it, real, comfortable, free toilets). Walk - I don’t want to.

San Marino is called a paradise for shopaholics. This is truly paradise. Prices are 15-20 percent lower than in Italy. The variety of goods is in no way inferior to either Rome or Florence. Here you can buy everything from shoes to cosmetics. The prices for branded glasses and perfumes are especially pleasing.

At first I looked with caution at the unprecedented generosity of perfume displays, not believing my eyes and the sellers. Well, branded fragrances from new collections in maximum volume cannot cost 50-80 euros! And how can testers be officially sold?! It turns out they can! Anything is possible in San Marino! The girl, a saleswoman from an optician, said that all of Europe comes to San Marino to shop, and that there is no doubt about the testers - no deception. But, there is one “but” - no one applies for tax-free!

On the one hand, if you compare the prices for glasses purchased in Venice, after receiving a tax refund, and for the same glasses sold in San Marino, it turns out that the Venetian ones end up cheaper by 2 euros :) But on the other hand, it’s very convenient, I bought myself a product in San Marino and my head doesn’t hurt how to find the Global Blue counter at the airport, apply for tax-free and get the money.

And if you’re full of aromas, you’re completely overwhelmed! Liquids are not allowed in hand luggage, only in luggage. Before registration, you have to run in a panic with your suitcases to look for the Global Blue service center, then after registration, pack your suitcases again and run to check-in.

In San Marino I really didn’t have enough time to go shopping, I didn’t even have time to drink coffee. Exactly two hours later our bus departed for Rome. Six hours on the road, one stop for lunch and we are in Rome. By the way, we had lunch at a roadside restaurant, the style of organizing the customer service process was a Soviet canteen. In terms of price level, this is a cool restaurant in the center of Rome.

Evening and farewell Rome

By evening (somewhere around six) we were in Rome. Rome finally greeted us with sunshine! The weather was great, neither hot nor cold - just right for walking. Finally, it was possible to leisurely wander the narrow streets of Rome without shivering from the cold and without peeking out from under an umbrella.

Our new hotel was located in the same, already familiar to us, area of ​​Republic Square. Beauty! Again, all attractions are within walking distance. Hooray!

In the first days of our stay in Rome, we never got to the sights in the northern part of Rome - the Spanish Steps and the People's Square (Piazza del Popolo). Therefore, we decided to correct this omission. Taking our time, looking into boutiques and simply looking at shop windows, collecting a bountiful harvest of citrus fruits along the way, we headed to the Spanish Steps and the Trinita dei Monti temple.

Oh, I’ll stop a little and talk about oranges. Orange trees grow in Rome, like chestnuts in Kyiv, just on the sidewalks. The combination of colors is incredible - against the background of ocher-colored Roman houses and gray asphalt roads, the bright spots of orange balls in the thick green crown stand out very expressively, attracting attention. He wanted it, raised his hand (and some people jumped), and picked a ripe, juicy orange. Italians, of course, don’t do this (fallen oranges roll under their feet every now and then), and tourists don’t do the same, but curious tourists, like me, do just that. Well, I'm wondering how much street oranges are oranges.

I'm reporting. Real oranges, with an orange aroma and a sour-sour taste. I would even say that these are lemons in the body of an orange, generously crushed by lead from exhaust gases :) The Romans are right, oranges over the road are pure decoration!

Spanish steps

I read somewhere that the Spanish Steps are recognized as the most beautiful staircase in Europe. It’s hard for me to judge how beautiful it is, because a huge number of people simply neutralize any beauty, but it’s a fact that this staircase is the most popular. So many people! They sit, stand, walk, chat, meet, hug, kiss - you can spend hours just looking at people!

We came to the Staircase from via Sistina, i.e. from the top of Pincio Hill, so at first, as always happens when I walk with my husband, I didn’t even realize that we had come to the top of the Staircase. Before us stood in all its glory, partly in restoration forests, as befits an ancient structure, the temple of Trinita dei Monti.

The temple building was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century - so that’s why the 16th century church looks quite modern and laconic. The main attraction of the cathedral is the sculptural group “Descent from the Cross” by Daniele da Volterra. Photography is prohibited in the cathedral, but we take photographs again. Otherwise, how would I have known about such a highlight. "Wow, what an interesting job!" - I would say and it would be imprinted in my memory that at the entrance to the temple there is an amazing work of an unknown master. That's all. And so, click! Photography and the Internet are the best friends of independent tourists

Daniele da Volterra "Descent from the Cross"

Unfortunately, the fountain at the foot of the stairs was under repair. And we didn’t see its beauty at all. But the illusionists in Piazza di Spagna were a delight to the eye. If I had come across such a picture here, I would now write that the illusionists pleased my eye and the policeman’s pocket :)

People's Square Piazza del Popolo

Following the tourist line, we came to People's Square. Having become accustomed to the tiny piazzas of Florence and Venice, Piazza del Popolo simply amazed me with its scale. The square was truly a people's square. What and who was not here. And more illusionists, and dance groups, and preachers, and groups of tourists, and singles resting right on the slabs, old people in wheelchairs, families with babies. It seemed that everyone who had at least a little free time had gathered here.

State San Marino, is one of two dwarf states located in Italy. Another dwarf state is. On our trip to Italy, we did not plan to visit San Marino. Excursion to San Marino is the smallest state in Europe was given to us as a gift by our guide Kovtun Anatoly. From San Marino it is approximately 20 kilometers. The entire excursion was accompanied by rain and fog.

The state of San Marino is located on Mt. It is almost impossible to become a citizen of this small state or buy real estate in San Marino. Marriage will not make you a citizen of this republic unless after 15 years. But girls from the former CIS willingly marry San Marintz. There are a lot of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians there. They just live and work. The population of San Marino is small, about 30 thousand people. Many people know each other by sight. The population is mainly elderly, young people leave San Marino to live and work in Italy.

How did the state of San Marino arise?

A stonecutter named Marino, having quarreled with the emperor, retired to Mount Titano. Marino had the gift of healing the sick. Having once cured the child of a noble Roman woman, he received a reward in the form of lifelong use of Mount Titano. There he founded a settlement, which gradually turned into a state. Residents of San Marino idolized the stonemason and canonized him as a saint, hence the prefix “San.” Since then, the residents of San Marino have lived in freedom and independence. Marino’s last words were: “I leave you free from other people.”

City state of San Marino from a bird's eye view

Currently San Marino has a small army of about 100 men. The army primarily performs a police function and maintains law and order in the state; the army also performs the role of guarding government institutions.

During World War II, the state was occupied by the Nazis, although it declared itself neutral. Therefore, Allied aircraft bombed the state, killing dozens of people. In San Marino there is a sculpture of a woman and a child running away from a bombing. At the same time, the woman is wearing high-heeled shoes. A woman should be a woman in any situation. This is probably what the sculptor meant.

The currency in the state is the euro. The inhabitants of San Marino come from Italians, but are very different from them in traditions, values ​​and even national costumes.

After our bus reached our destination, we set off through the narrow streets of San Marino for a tour. The first significant place in San Marino was the tasting room.

The famous alcoholic drinks of Italy were presented here. After trying many of them, we began to choose what to buy. I liked the signature Italian wine, limoncella. Sweet and sour wine with the taste and smell of lemon. Very tasty wine, in a glass bottle. The bottle was shaped like an Italian boot. Just great for a gift. You could also buy cheese, cervelat and much more. All purchases were packaged, signed and carried onto the bus by store employees. So we didn’t carry any shopping with us. The prices are reasonable, but as we later found out, all this can be bought cheaper in the store. Because the price in the store does not include a percentage for guides bringing tourists.

Roofs of houses in San Marino

Everywhere there were branded stores of clothing, bags, watches, and perfume. All the stores were famous designers and fashion designers. For 60 euros you could buy a leather bag from Valentino.

Shops in San Marino

Every store must have a Russian-speaking salesperson, a native of the CIS countries. They also work as “barkers”.

"Barker" inviting tourists to the store

That is, standing near the store, “barkers” invite tourists to come into the store. There were original stores, such as a store that sold all things made from wax.

Slowly we moved deeper into the state of San Marino. A lot of attractions San Marino is located on top of a mountain. You can climb to the top of the mountain by cable car. We traveled the way to the funicular on an open tram.

The first attraction was which is located in front of the Government building. San Marino has maintained its independence for 17 centuries. The sculptor's masterpiece is located on the square Statue of Liberty. From the square you can see the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Under the square there are extensive cisterns that were previously intended to collect rainwater. This was very important for the residents of San Marino, since the state did not have its own rivers and lakes and access to the sea.

The Government Palace, a building in which the most important state ceremonies take place, was built at the end of the 19th century on the site of the medieval Government Palace.

The building is made of stone blocks quarried from the caves of Mount Titano. Once every half hour from May to September there is a changing of the guard in front of the government palace. The guard has an unusual shape and looks very solemn.
San Marino has an opera house, a Ferrari museum, and art galleries.

Basilica of San Marino

Basilica of San Marino

The main temple of the city is dedicated to the holy stonemason Marin, whose name the state is named. The basilica is a UNESCO site. The basilica is built of light stone. The relics of St. Marinus are kept here. In the basilica there is a portrait of St. Marin. The basilica was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. The basilica is active and services are held on weekends.

Torture Museum

The Middle Ages were a cruel time. The Inquisition used sophisticated interrogation methods. There is a torture museum in San Marino. Where are the instruments of torture displayed? Each tool comes with a description and instructions for use. The spectacle is not for the faint of nerve. There is also a wax museum here. Where are the figures of famous personalities Garibaldi, the Pope, Mussolini, Hitler and others. Visiting hours from: 10:00-19:00 Cost: 8 euros

At 750 m, it is the highest point in San Marino. On Mount Titano, Marino decided to found a city state. The mountain is a UNESCO site.

This is where our excursion ended. We had good impressions from San Marino. There were buses nearby, which by this time had climbed the mountain. We found our packaged purchases, safe and sound, took our seats and went to. If you liked the article, share it on social networks.

Status of dwarf states

Cyprus Partially affected by the unresolved Cyprus conflict; the plans are for 2016.

Bulgaria no earlier than 2014

Expected entries

Estonia

Sweden

Switzerland

Czech

France, excluding all overseas possessions.

Finland

Slovenia

Slovakia

Portugal

Poland

Norway, excluding Spitsbergen

Netherlands, excluding Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Caribbean Netherlands

Malta

Luxembourg

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Latvia

Italy

Spain, excluding Melilla and Ceuta. All Spanish territories are in the Schengen zone, but there are border controls on exit from Ceuta and Melilla to Spain or other zone countries due to special visa rules for Moroccan residents living in Tetouan and Nador.

Iceland

Denmark, excluding Greenland and Faroe Islands. Visiting these territories is only possible with a Schengen visa issued by Denmark.

Greece

Germany

Hungary

Belgium

Austria

Membership

At the moment, the Schengen area consists of 26 states, all but four are members of the European Union. Two non-EU countries - Iceland and Norway - are members of the Nordic Passport Union and are officially classified as states associated with the EU's Schengen activities. Two more countries: Switzerland and Liechtenstein entered the Schengen zone under the same conditions. The de facto Schengen area includes several microstates that maintain open or semi-open borders with Schengen countries.

Before full implementation of the Schengen rules, the acceding country must obtain a readiness assessment in four areas: air borders, visas, police cooperation and personal data protection. Special experts from the EU act as evaluators.

Current lineup:

3. Romania - no earlier than 2014

4. Croatia – 07/01/2015

A number of European dwarf states, while not members of the EU and not acceding to the EU's Schengen legislation, do not have protected borders with members who fully apply this legislation:

The Vatican and San Marino are completely surrounded by Italian territory and have neither sea nor air ports through which one could enter their territories without passing through Italian territory.

Monaco has a seaport, but border formalities there are carried out by representatives of France; entry through it is considered entry into French territory.

The de jure status of Monaco is different from that of the Vatican and San Marino, since there is a formal agreement between Monaco and France on the representation of Monaco's interests in foreign relations by France.

However, from a practical point of view, all three states have the same status: they do not have their own separate visa policies for visitors, their citizens (subjects) and permanent residents can stay throughout the EU and the European Economic Area by right. Entry into these states from the territory of Italy or France is not considered leaving the latter. Thus, their territories are de facto included in the Schengen zone.

The Vatican expresses interest in direct participation in EU Schengen affairs, in particular in access to the Schengen Information System.

In San Marino, at the request of the guest, the State Tourist Service for 5 euros can put a tourist visa in the passport, which is a stamp with the appropriate denomination and a stamp with the coat of arms and the name of the state, the name of the issuing organization, the date and the inscription Visto turistico, that is, “Tourist visa” : San Marino General Tips