Citizens often turn to the European Parliament to ask how the European Union handles the Schengen area and the EU visa policyWithin the Schengen area, European Union (EU) citizens and non-EU nationals legally residing in the EU can move freely without being subject to border controls. The Schengen area has 29 member countries: 25 EU countries (all except Ireland and Cyprus) and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Ireland chose not to join the Schengen area, although its police and judiciary cooperate fully with other Schengen countries in criminal matters. Common rules for the Schengen areaTo ensure safe and controlled entry into the Schengen area, the Schengen Borders Code sets out common rules for checks at external borders. The Code also sets out the conditions for a temporary reintroduction of controls at internal borders within the Schengen area.