So you're wondering what is the countries of Europe? Honestly, it's one of those questions that seems simpler than it really is. I remember when I first tried listing them during a pub quiz – missed like 15 and got roasted by my mates. Turns out Europe's borders are messier than my last DIY project.
Let's break it down properly. When we talk about the countries in Europe, we're usually referring to 44 sovereign states recognized by the UN. But even that's debated – does Kosovo count? What about transcontinental countries like Turkey? We'll get into all that.
Why Defining European Countries Gets Tricky
Geography first. Europe's eastern boundary with Asia isn't marked by some giant wall. It's basically the Ural Mountains down to the Caucasus, which means parts of Russia and Turkey are in Europe while most of their land is in Asia. Political definitions complicate things further. The European Union has 27 member states, but that's different from the 26 in the Schengen visa zone, and both exclude obvious European countries like Norway and Switzerland.
Then there are microstates. Monaco isn't in the EU but uses the euro and has French border guards. Andorra has co-princes including the French president. Makes your head spin, right? When considering what is the countries of Europe, we need multiple perspectives.
| Region | Countries | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | France, Germany, Benelux, UK, Ireland | Highest GDP, major EU founders |
| Northern Europe | Scandinavia + Baltics + Iceland | Nordic model, high living standards |
| Southern Europe | Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal | Mediterranean climate, historic sites |
| Eastern Europe | Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Balkans | Post-communist transition, lower costs |
Now the complete list. Below are all 44 sovereign nations universally recognized as having territory in Europe, with key details travelers actually care about:
| Country | Capital | Population | Currency | EU Member? | Schengen? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Tirana | 2.8 million | Lek | No | No |
| Andorra | Andorra la Vella | 77,000 | Euro (de facto) | No | Yes |
| Austria | Vienna | 8.9 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Belarus | Minsk | 9.4 million | Belarusian ruble | No | No |
| Belgium | Brussels | 11.5 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo | 3.3 million | Convertible mark | No | No |
| Bulgaria | Sofia | 6.9 million | Lev | Yes | No |
| Croatia | Zagreb | 4.1 million | Euro (since 2023) | Yes | Yes |
| Cyprus | Nicosia | 1.2 million | Euro | Yes | No |
| Czech Republic | Prague | 10.5 million | Czech koruna | Yes | Yes |
| Denmark | Copenhagen | 5.8 million | Danish krone | Yes | Yes |
| Estonia | Tallinn | 1.3 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Finland | Helsinki | 5.5 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| France | Paris | 67 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Berlin | 83 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Greece | Athens | 10.7 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Hungary | Budapest | 9.8 million | Forint | Yes | Yes |
| Iceland | Reykjavik | 356,000 | Icelandic króna | No | Yes |
| Ireland | Dublin | 4.9 million | Euro | Yes | No |
| Italy | Rome | 60 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Kosovo | Pristina | 1.9 million | Euro | No | No |
| Latvia | Riga | 1.9 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Liechtenstein | Vaduz | 38,000 | Swiss franc | No | Yes |
| Lithuania | Vilnius | 2.8 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg City | 625,000 | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Malta | Valletta | 441,000 | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Moldova | Chisinau | 2.6 million | Moldovan leu | No | No |
| Monaco | Monaco | 39,000 | Euro | No | Yes |
| Montenegro | Podgorica | 628,000 | Euro (unilaterally) | No | No |
| Netherlands | Amsterdam | 17.3 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| North Macedonia | Skopje | 2.1 million | Denar | No | No |
| Norway | Oslo | 5.3 million | Norwegian krone | No | Yes |
| Poland | Warsaw | 38 million | Złoty | Yes | Yes |
| Portugal | Lisbon | 10.3 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Romania | Bucharest | 19 million | Leu | Yes | No |
| Russia | Moscow | 146 million (European part) | Russian ruble | No | No |
| San Marino | San Marino | 34,000 | Euro | No | Yes |
| Serbia | Belgrade | 7 million | Serbian dinar | No | No |
| Slovakia | Bratislava | 5.4 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana | 2.1 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Spain | Madrid | 47 million | Euro | Yes | Yes |
| Sweden | Stockholm | 10.3 million | Swedish krona | Yes | Yes |
| Switzerland | Bern | 8.6 million | Swiss franc | No | Yes |
| Turkey | Ankara | 15 million (European part) | Turkish lira | No | No |
| Ukraine | Kyiv | 44 million | Hryvnia | No | No |
| United Kingdom | London | 67 million | Pound sterling | No (left 2020) | No |
| Vatican City | Vatican City | 800 | Euro | No | Yes |
Notable European Regions Explained
Europe's often divided into regions sharing cultural or historical ties. These groupings help make sense of how different the countries of Europe really are:
Nordic Countries
Scandinavia plus Finland and Iceland. Famous for welfare states and design. Pro tip: Don't call Finns Scandinavian – they're Nordic but not Scandinavian. Learned that awkwardly at a Helsinki bar.
- Sweden: ABBA, meatballs, endless forests
- Norway: Fjords, Vikings, insanely expensive beer
- Denmark: Hygge, bicycles, open sandwiches
- Finland: Saunas, heavy metal, introverts
- Iceland: Volcanoes, elves, crazy weather shifts
Benelux Union
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. Tiny countries with huge influence. Brussels hosts EU headquarters.
Personal rant: Belgium's train system makes zero sense. Took me 3 hours to go 60km once. But their beer? Worth every confusing transfer.
Balkan States
The peninsula's messy history means complex borders. Some key players:
Croatia
Coastal paradise with Game of Thrones sites. Dubrovnik's walls cost €35 to walk but sunrise views are magical.
Serbia
Undiscovered nightlife capital. Belgrade clubs don't close until 10am. Bring stamina.
Albania
Europe's cheapest beach destination. Turquoise water without Italian prices.
Key Travel Considerations by Country Type
Schengen Zone Countries
26 countries where you cross borders like US states. Includes non-EU members like Norway and Switzerland. Biggest perk? One visa covers all.
But watch expiration dates rigidly. Got fined €120 in Germany for overstaying 48 hours. Officer showed zero mercy.
EU Members Outside Schengen
Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania. You'll need separate entry docs despite EU membership. Ireland's especially strict since sharing border with UK.
Non-EU European Countries
Major examples:
- UK: Now out of EU completely
- Norway/Switzerland: Rejected EU membership but cooperate closely
- Balkans/Western Balkans: Various stages of EU candidacy
Top 5 Underrated European Countries
Forget Paris and Rome. These gems deliver without crushing crowds:
- Slovenia - Lake Bled looks photoshopped real. Castle entry €13. Ljubljana's dragon bridges beat selfie sticks.
- Georgia - Technically Asia? Debateable. Mountains rival Alps at 1/3 cost. Khinkali dumplings will ruin other dumplings forever.
- Montenegro - Dubrovnik views without Dubrovnik prices. Kotor Bay cruise €25 for 3 hours.
- Poland - Krakow's square makes Prague look dull. Pierogi €2/plate. Auschwitz visit essential but heavy.
- Portugal (outside Lisbon) - Porto's wine caves €15 tasting. Algarve beaches minus Ibiza chaos.
Europe Visa Requirements Simplified
The rules change constantly but here's current status:
| Passport Type | Schengen Access | UK Access | Balkans Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Swiss | Unlimited | ETA required from 2024 | 90 days visa-free |
| US/Canada/Australia | 90/180 days visa-free | 6 months visa-free | 30-90 days visa-free |
| India/China/Russia | Schengen visa required | UK visa required | Varies by country |
ETIAS coming 2025 will change everything. Even visa-exempt travelers need €7 electronic authorization for Schengen. Plan ahead!
What About European Microstates?
These tiny spots count as sovereign countries:
- Vatican City (0.44 km²) - World's smallest. St. Peter's Basilica free but €8 dome climb.
- Monaco (2.1 km²) - Glamorous tax haven. Casino requires passport after 8pm.
- San Marino (61 km²) - Oldest republic. Three fortress towers €10 combo ticket.
- Liechtenstein (160 km²) - Alpine kingdom. "Rent" country for €70,000/day (seriously).
- Andorra (468 km²) - Ski/shopping paradise. No airport - access via Spain/France.
Common Questions About European Countries
How many countries are in Europe?
Depends who you ask. 44 sovereign states have territory in Europe, but if counting only full memberships in European organizations, it drops to 40-42. Geography isn't politics.
Is Turkey considered a European country?
Partial membership. About 15 million Turks live west of the Bosphorus (European side), but 97% of Turkey's land is in Asia. They've sought EU membership since 1987 without success.
Why isn't Cyprus always counted?
Geographically in Asia, but culturally/politically tied to Europe. EU considers it European. North Cyprus remains occupied since 1974 - messy situation.
Which countries use the Euro?
20 EU members plus 4 microstates (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican). Not all EU countries use it though - Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Czechia kept their currencies.
What's the richest European country?
Luxembourg (GDP per capita $130k) thanks to banking. Ireland second ($105k) from tech taxes. Switzerland ($93k) third with chocolate and watches.
Which European country is cheapest for tourists?
Bulgaria. Hostel bed €8, full meal €5, beer €1.20. Albania and North Macedonia close seconds. Western Europe costs 3-5x more.
Weird European Country Facts You'll Love
🇳🇱 Netherlands has more bikes than people (23M vs 17M)
🇸🇲 San Marino's military consists of ceremonial guards only
🇱🇺 Luxembourg citizens get free public transport nationwide
🇭🇺 Hungary's Lake Hévíz is Europe's largest thermal lake (47°C year-round)
Personal Favorites and Fails
After 15 years traveling Europe, some candid takes:
Most overrated: Paris. Sorry, it's dirty and rude. Sacré-Cœur pickpockets nearly got my wallet twice. Go to Lyon instead - better food, half the price.
Most underrated: Bosnia. Sarajevo's history hits hard. Tunnel Museum entry €5 shows how residents survived siege. Stari Most bridge reconstruction? Engineering poetry.
Biggest surprise: Moldova's wine caves at Cricova. 120km of underground roads holding 1.25 million bottles. Tasting tour €15 - steal of the century.
Worst experience: Getting scammed at Rome's Trevi Fountain. "Free" roses aren't free. Aggressive sellers demand €20. Police did nothing.
Final Takeaways
So when someone asks what is the countries of Europe, understand they're really asking about shifting identities:
- Geographical Europe = 44 sovereign states
- Political Europe (EU) = 27 members
- Travel Europe (Schengen) = 26 countries with open borders
The key is matching definitions to your purpose. Visa applicant? Focus on Schengen rules. Business traveler? EU regulations matter more. Backpacker? Microstates absolutely count.
Still confused about what is the countries of Europe? Drop questions below - I answer every comment. Unless you're that pickpocket from Paris. You know who you are.
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