‘Schengen’ members

The newer European Union (EU) member countries Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia on Dec. 20, 2007, became part of the “Schengen” agreement zone in which citizens of participating countries may cross land borders (but NOT air) without having to show passports.

For travelers from non-EU countries, the border and Customs inspections on driving and river trips will continue as usual, though a visa issued by one country usually will apply to all the countries participating in the “Schengen” agreement (named after the town where it was first signed).

Britain, Ireland and Switzerland currently are not part of the “Schengen” zone.